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SCOTT'S 
HIE LADY OF THE LAKE 



fHacmtllan's Pocket ISnglisf) Classic*. 



A Series of English Texts, edited for use in Secondary 
Schools, with Critical Introductions, Notes, etc. 



l6mo. Levanteen. 25c. each. 



Addison's Sir Roger de Coverley. 

Browning's Shorter Poems. 

Burke's Speech on Conciliation. 

Byron's Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. 

Coleridge's The Ancient Mariner. 

Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. 

De Quincey's Confessions of an Opium-Eater. 

Dryden's Palamon and Arcite. 

Eliot's Silas Marner. 

Goldsmith's The Vicar of Wakefield. 

Irving's The Alhambra. 

Lowell's The Vision of Sir Launfal. 

Macaulay's Essay on Addison. 

Macaulay's Essay on Milton. 

Milton's Comus, Lycidas, and Other Poems- 

Milton's Paradise Lost, Books I and II. 

Pope's Homer's Iliad. 

Scott's The Lady of the Lake. 

Scott's Marmion. 

Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. 

Shakespeare's Macbeth. 

Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venic«. 

Tennyson's The Princess. 



OTHERS TO FOLLOW. 




THE LADY OF THE LAKE 



w BY / 
WALTER SCOTT 



EDITED WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES 



BY 



ELIZABETH A. PACKARD 

HEAD OK ENGLISH AND HISTORY IN THE HIOH SCHOOL 
AT OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 



Nefo fgork 
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., Ltd. 
1900 

All right b reserved 



TWO COPIES RECE1VEJ, 

Library of Co B g PM % 
Office of tbt 

MAV4- 1900 

B«glst«r af Copyright* 
8EC0ND COPY, /''W~ 



.31693 

COPTBIGHT, 1900, 

By THE MACMILLAN COMPANY. 



J. S. Cushiug & Co. - Berwick & Smith 
Norwood Mass. U.S.A. 



PREFATORY NOTE 

In preparing this edition the effort has been directed 
mainly toward two ends: to make the great-hearted 
man, Walter Scott, and his romantic Highland poem 
seem real and attractive, and to make the pupil do as 
much of his own thinking as possible. The notes are 
not to take the place of dictionary and history, but to 
stimulate interest and thought, while furnishing such 
accurate information as is not readily attainable else- 
where by the young student. 

The Lady of the Lake is often the first poem studied 
thoroughly. Therefore it is essential that through it 
one may learn how to study poetry, and, still more, to 
discover the charm of such reading and desire to con- 
tinue it. 

I am indebted for many suggestions to my colleagues 
who teach this poem in the Oakland ninth grade, espe- 
cially to Miss Annie Brown and Miss Evelyn Gilmore. 
Acknowledgments are also due to the editions of Pro- 
fessor Tufts and Dr. Rolfe. 

v 



vi PREFATORY NOTE 

The text adopted for this edition is that collated by 
Dr. Rolfe, and is here used with his courteous permis- 
sion. In this text, which is certainly the most correct 
yet printed, numerous important misprints and miscon- 
structions of the earlier editions have been corrected, 
and the whole carefully compared with all of the pre- 
ceding editions. 

ELIZABETH A. PACKARD. 

Oakland, California, 
April, 1900. 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

Prefatory Note ......... v 

Introduction : 

Life of Scott ix 

u The Lady of the Lake " xxviii 

Chief Writings of Scott xxxiii 

Chronological Table xxxv 

Suggestions for Study xxxvii 

Themes for Composition xl 

Map xliii 

The Lady of the Lake : 

Canto I 1 

Canto II 27 

Canto III 57 

Canto IV 83 

Canto V Ill 

Canto VI 141 

Notes : 

To Canto I 169 

To Canto II 177 

vii 



viii >_Y TEXTS 



To Canto III 184 

To Canto IV 190 

To Canto V 194 

To Canto VI 200 

Ixdex to Notes 205 



LSK 



INTRODUCTION 



LIFE OF SCOTT 

Some authors are best introduced to us through their 
writings ; others are the best introduction to their writ- 
ings. Of the latter class there is no more striking rep- 
resentative than Sir Walter Scott, poet and romancer, 
whose ancestral blood tingled with the poetic traditions 
of Bonnie Scotland, and into whose inmost being, from 
earliest childhood, had been breathed the romance of the 
Highlands. 

Ancestry. — The Scotts of Harden had been famous 
even among border chieftains for their reckless riding 
and fighting, ever since the day in 1567 when " Auld 
Wat," sung in a hundred ballads, brought lovely Mary 
Scott, the " Flower of Yarrow," to his fastness at Harden 
Tower, by " Teviot's western strand." It is told that at 
the wedding feast, when the last English bullock had been 
devoured, this same bride of Yarrow placed on the table 
for dessert a dish containing a pair of new spurs. That 
was a graceful suggestion that the assembled guests 
should make no further tarrying, but provide themselves 
with their next dinner by means of a fresh raid. The 
son and heir of this worthy couple kept up his father's 
reputation by his forays, in one of which he was cap- 

ix 



X INTRODUCTION 

feared by Sir <>:lbert Murray, and only saved from hanging 
upon the suggestion froni the Baron's more kindly dame, 
that young Scott was well-to-do and the Hurrays had 
three unmarried daughters. The prisoner immediately 
signed, upon a drumhead, a contract to marry the ugliest 
of the three, " liickle-mouthed Meg." Their grandson, 
the great-grandfather of our Sir Walter, spent his ener- 
gies for the banished Stuarts, instead of in lifting English 
cattle. Introduced in Marmion (Intro., Canto VI., 1. 95) — 

; - Wi::; amber beard and flaxen hair. 
And reverend apostolic air," 

he was called " Beardie " because, in token of his mourn- 
ing for the lost cause, he refused to employ a razor until 
Prince Charlie should come into his own again. 

With him end the wild tales of adventure ; for his son 
was a cheery sheep-farmer, and managed his cattle ex- 
changes legitimately, while the next of line, Walter Scott, 
Senior, was a city man, a plodding and prudent writer to 
the Signet. This sensible and somewhat formal gentle- 
man married Miss Anne Rutherford, the well-educated 
and warm-hearted daughter of a professor of medicine in 
Edinburgh University. She became the mother of t v 
children, of whom five outlived early youth. Walter, the 
ninth, was born on the loth of August, 1771, in a he 
at the head of old College Wynd in Edinburgh. 

Contemporaries. — Scott was one of : .: eat writ- 

:f that wonderful decade 1770-1779, which gave to 

the world Wordsworth, Coleridge, Southey, Lamb, Laii- 

dor, Campbell, and Moore j and which saw the death of 



INTRODUCTION XI 

Gray and Goldsmith. It was the decade as well when 
poor Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette climbed the totter- 
ing French throne ; when Frederick the Great was laying 
firmly the foundations of modern Prussia ; when Warren 
Hastings was securing India for the Anglo-Saxon ; and 
when John Hancock and the Adamses, Benjamin Frank- 
lin and George Washington were launching our American 
Ship of State. 

Childhood. — The baby soon proved to be delicate, and 
took his teething so hard that the resulting fever pro- 
duced a lifelong lameness. So, as soon as he could 
toddle, he was sent to his grandfather at Sandy Knowe. 
The nurse, being ill-tempered to the verge of insanity, 
was soon discharged, and the child turned over in fair 
weather to the shepherds and a kindly old soldier-friend. 
He is pictured lying in the skin of a freshly killed sheep, 
on the turf among the lambs, gazing at the surround- 
ing crags. Dryburgh Abbey, his final resting-place, fair 
Melrose, the stretch of Lammermoor, the purple Eildon 
peaks, and the distant Cheviot range, were stamped 
indelibly upon his inner vision. Sometimes he was for- 
gotten, and once his aunt found the little one out in a 
thunder storm, clapping his hands at every flash, and 
shouting, " Bonny, bonny ! " He is described as a win- 
some bairn, with bright brown hair, merry yet deter- 
mined light blue eyes, the somewhat conical forehead 
we know so well in his portraits, and the long upper lip 
and expansive mouth inherited from his great-great-grcat- 
grandmother, Meg Murray. His expression was as sweet 
and spirited as his temper, showing the mingled depth 



xii IXTEODUCTIOX 

and vivacity of his nature. In spite of his lameness, he 
was throughout life exceptionally agile and fond of active 
sports. Eventually he attained what he calls "the great- 
est blessings which earth can bestow, a sound and healthy 
mind with a good constitution.'' 

Education. — After his grandfather's death in 1775. 
Walter was sent to various health resorts, and became 
so much improved that at the age of seven he entered 
the Edinburgh high school. Before this, however, he 
had received stanch Presbyterian training, and, what 
was more to his taste, learned many a border ballad. 
At the high school he was a somewhat idle pupil, though, 
under the inspiration of the rector. Dr. Adam, he re- 
ceived some praise for poetical translations of Vergil and 
Horace. It is needless to add that the learned school- 
master claimed for himself most of the credit, for his 
scholar's later achievements in literature. A tutor at 
home instructed the children in Erench and church his- 
tory, besides furnishing an antagonist in the endless 
debates where Walter was a fiery Jacobite — taking his 
politics " as Charles II. did his religion, from an idea that 
the cavalier creed was the more gentlemanlike of the 
two." With the schoolboys his good nature and lively 
story-telling made him a prime favorite. 

After leaving the high school, a few months with his 
aunt at Kelso, one of the most picturesque spots in all 
Scotland, gave time to become acquainted with Spenser, 
the open sesame of so many poets, and with odd plays of 
Shakespeare : most of all. it was during this vacation that 
he discovered Percy's Hehques of Ancu rU Poetry. Under 



INTRODUCTION xiii 

a spreading plane tree in his Aunt Janet's garden were 
born some of the brain children, that, grown to maturity, 
became the family whose eldest was the Minstrel of 
Branksome Tower, and the youngest, sad Count Robert 
of Paris. 

From 1783 to 1786 Scott was in college at Edinburgh. 
There, as usual, he neglected the prescribed studies, to 
become absorbed in the acquisition of a vast amount of 
miscellaneous knowledge, especially knowledge concern- 
ing our older English poets, and concerning unfrequented 
nooks of mediaeval history. On May 15, 1786, the young 
student was apprenticed to his father for five years, under 
a mutual bond of forty pounds. It was the fashion then for 
every youth of good parts to study for the bar or divinity, 
and to this rather uncongenial apprenticeship he owed 
much of the methodical, painstaking habit which carried 
him through his later years. Moreover, he made good 
literary capital out of the humors of the law, and found 
time to read fluently Spanish, Italian, and German. At 
this period occurred also the only interview with his one 
rival in the hearts of his countrymen, Robert Burns, whom 
he thought to resemble " a very sagacious country farmer 
of the old Scotch school." 

Introduction to the Highlands. — For several successive 
years business called Scott on trips to the Western High- 
lands ; it was on one of these legal errands, while accom- 
panied by six men and a sergeant who was armed with 
pistols and anecdotes of Rob Roy, that Walter Scott first 
saw Loch Katrine. And during the months when he was 
nominally confined within the city, every spare hour was 



XIV INTRODUCTION 

occupied with, tramping the surrounding country in search 
of romance and antiquarian lore. During these years, 
as always, he was a social favorite, and Scotch whiskey 
joined with love of excitement sometimes led to a carou- 
sal — a weakness which his innate manliness soon over- 
came. 

To the Bar. — In 1792 he was called to the Bar, practis- 
ing with fair success for fourteen years. Afterwards he 
was Clerk of Sessions at Edinburgh and was Sheriff of 
Selkirkshire from 1799 to the end of his life. 

Love and Marriage. — About two years before his call to 
the Bar, Scott offered his umbrella, at the door of Grey- 
friars Church, to a charming young lady. Although the 
umbrella was returned after the shower, the heart of the 
lender remained in the hold of the borrower, and for six 
years Scott hoped for a marriage with her. For some 
reason this never took place, and the lady eventually 
married one of his best friends. Within a year he became 
engaged to Mademoiselle Charpentier, the orphan of a 
French royalist. She was pretty and lively, and, while 
far from being her husband's equal, made a loving wife, 
braver than people expected when adversity swept away 
their fortune. 

First Writings. — The romantic revival in Germany fas- 
cinated him, and his first writings were translations of 
German poems, beginning with Burger's blood-curdling 
Lenore. Next he edited The Minstrelsy of the Scottish 
Border, which, he had been collecting since his college 
excursions into Liddesdale. Eight hundred copies were 
sold within a year after its publication in 1802, and the 



INTRODUCTION XV 

literary world at once recognized the promise of the 
book. 

The Lay of the Last Minstrel. — These imitations of old 
ballads were the prelude to purely original work, and 
before Cadyow Castle was finished, Scott was already 
beginning The Lay of the Last Minstrel. The legend 
of a goblin page suggested by Lady Dalkeith (afterward 
Duchess of Buccleugh) became the nucleus of a great 
metrical romance. The author expressed his own chival- 
rous devotion to his friend by representing her as the 
Lady of Branksome, and himself as a wandering harper 
who sings the Lay of her house and the magic powers of 
his own wizard namesake, Michael Scott. The success 
of the poem was something marvellous. Although the 
plot lacks unity, and one is not entirely clear as to the 
precise doings of either the goblin page or William of 
Deloraine, there is sufficient charm in the style, the 
beautiful descriptive passages, and the mediaeval flavor. 

Marmion. — The Lay was followed three years later by 
Marmion, and before the end of 1815 by The Lady of the 
Ijake, Rokeby, The Bridal of Triermain, The Lord of the 
Isles, and many lesser poems. Marmion is usually con- 
sidered the best of all in poetic power and well-balanced, 
artistic construction. Much of it was composed on horse- 
back, and one feels the gallop of the flying hoofs in its 
onward rush. The description of the Battle of Flodden 
Field is by many critics ranked second only to Homer. 

The Lady of the Lake. — The Lady of the Lake appeared 
in 1810. When one knows that its price was two guineas, 
about ten dollars, the sale seems incredible — some two 



xvi INTRODUCTION 

thousand copies within a year after publication. It 
being just before the excursion season, all Great Britain 
set off to view the scenery of Loch Katrine, and every 
innkeeper and coach owner in the Trosachs made his 
fortune. One person alone suffered. Scott's little son 
came home from school badly battered and tearful. 
"Well, Wat," said his father, "what have you been 
fighting about to-day ? " The boy shamefacedly muttered 
that he had been called a "lassie." "Indeed!" said 
Mrs. Scott, "this was a terrible mischief, to be sure." 
" You may say what you please, mamma, but I dinna 
think there is a waufer [shabbier] thing in the world 
than to be a lassie, to sit boring at a clout [patch]." It 
seems that some of his comrades had nicknamed him The 
Lady of the Lake, and, not knowing the reason, the little 
fellow had resented the insult, after the manner of his 
ancestors. 

Later Poems. — Rokeby and The Lord of the Isles were 
received, and deservedly, with much less favor than their 
more effective predecessors. This fact, combined with 
the meteoric brilliancy of Lord Byron's appearance in 
the literary horizon, aroused in Scott the feeling that his 
poetic vein was exhausted. The charm of novelty hav- 
ing passed, it is probable that he was partially correct 
in this judgment so far as it concerned his romances in 
verse. Nevertheless some of his finest work is found 
in those lyrics which are embedded in the Waverley 
novels. Among the best of these little gems are County 
Guy (in Quentin Durward), Rebecca's song (in Ivanhoe), 
and Proud Maisie. Only one more long poem was pub- 



INTRODUCTION XVll 

lished, and that after five of the prose romances had 
taken Great Britain by storm. It was unfortunate that 
Harold the Dauntless should have been forced into com- 
parison with Byron's Childe Harold by the similarity of 
title, although a part of the former had appeared before 
its rival. 

Place as a Poet. — With this closes the story of Walter 
Scott the poet. His poetic style we will discuss later in 
connection with The Lady of the Lake. It has been the 
fashion often to rank him below his contemporaries, — 
Coleridge, Wordsworth, Byron, Shelley, and Keats. 
Whether such will be the decision of the future remains 
to be determined. Subtle and complex he was not. 
Wordsworth's mystical communion with nature, Shelley's 
prophetic vision and lyric music, he had not ; neither 
had he the marvellous command of imagination and 
rhythm found in Coleridge's fragments, nor the intangible 
felicity of phrase which draws us to Keats. He lacks 
Byron's resistless sweep. But was he not Byron's instruc- 
tor in the metrical romance ? And there is a strong sym- 
pathy with his brother man ; a closeness to nature, in her 
Scottish haunts at least ; a descriptive power often 
magical ; and an unerring sense of that which was most 
human and most poetic in the past of his native land. 
When these qualities are combined with the smooth but 
spirited verse movement, we have a poet who is not far 
below the mighty. He is termed " the great modern trou- 
badour," and in the poetry of action he has no rival since 
Shakespeare. 

The Waverley Novels. — Four years after the publioa- 



XV1U INTRODUCTION 

tion of The Lady of the Lake, Scott completed a Jaco- 
bite story which he had commenced ten years before. 
This was the first of the twenty-nine romances, on 
which, even more than on his verse, rests Scott's fame. 
The popularity of Waverley was instantaneous, and the 
public never lost its enthusiasm for the successive vol- 
umes " by the author of Waverley" Scott did not acknowl- 
edge their parentage until 1821, the year that Kenilworth 
appeared. Still several friends were in the secret, and 
the disguise was -always rather thin. The resemblance 
between his style in the novels and that in the prose 
introductions of the poems is so close, and the tastes 
shown in both are so similar, that we wonder that there 
should have been any mystification at all. Indeed, when 
Guy Mannering came out, James Hogg, the poet, known 
as the "Ettrick Shepherd," said to Professor Wilson 
(" Christopher North ") : " I have done wi ? doubts now. 
Colonel Mannering is just Walter Scott painted by 
himself." 

In so brief a sketch of the poet Walter Scott, space 
cannot be spared for more than a glance at the Waver- 
ley Novels. There are no better companions for boys 
and girls, from twelve years old to seventy, than these 
healthy Scottish folk. Naturally their creator was most 
at ease in his own country with Waverley, Rob Roy, 
Guy Mannering, TJie Bride of Lammermoor, with Jeanie 
Deans in The Heart of Midlothian, Claverhouse in Old 
Mortality, and Mary Stuart in The Abbot. And yet could 
any picture be more vivid than that of Richard the Lion- 
hearted in The Talisman and Ivanhoe, of Louis XL in 



INTRODUCTION xix 

Quentin Durviard, or of good Queen Bess in Kenihvorth f 
The critics say that Scott did not know how to paint 
women, being too gallant to see their weaknesses. That 
charge cannot apply to his queens or his peasant lassies. 
They say that he did not sufficiently analyze character. 
In these days of vivisection, it is rather a relief to be 
spared the too often morbidly subjective study. A 
third criticism has more weight — that he is not accu- 
rate historically. Neither is Shakespeare. Probably 
Scott's Eichard I. is as historically correct as Shake- 
speare's Eichard III. We wish that there might have 
been no anachronisms and that all the personages were 
as true to life as Dugald Dalgetty and Jeanie Deans. In 
matters of delicate detail Scott was weak. His was a 
large nature, and his canvas has the same breadth, deal- 
ing with public rather than private affairs. With due 
allowance for his faults, he remains one of the cleanest 
and most high-minded of novelists, and the one best 
adapted to inspire in young readers a lively interest in 
the exhaustless treasures of real history. Besides the 
writings already mentioned, and many lesser ones, he 
published a careful biography of Napoleon, and the 
charming Tales of a Grandfather. This latter was com- 
posed for his little invalid grandson, Johnnie Lockhart, 
and most of it was tried upon the child as the two took 
long rides side by side on horseback. 

Homes. — Although Scott was born in Edinburgh, and 
is one of the special prides of that beautiful Northern 
Athens, he was too much of an out-of-doors man to make 
his chief home within city walls. His name is insepara- 



XX INTRODUCTION 

bly connected with Abbotsford, but his poetical career 
was nearly completed in two earlier homes, — the cottage 
at Lasswade on the Esk, some six miles from Edinburgh, 
and Ashiestiel in Selkirkshire, to which he removed when 
he was made sheriff of that county. In the former he 
settled almost immediately after marriage, and for this 
honeymoon cottage he made much of the furniture, in- 
cluding the dining table, with his own hands. While 
there, too, he bought the first wheeled carriage which 
ever entered Liddesdale. In the opening summer of this 
century, he and his pretty wife enjoyed many an excursion, 
among his favorite haunts, driving in the new phaeton, to 
the admiration of the natives. 

In 1804, the family, now increased by three little ones, 
moved to Sir Walter's brother's house at Ashiestiel, 
situated on a brook which runs into the Tweed. One of 
his best bits of descriptive poetry is in the introduction 
to the first canto of Marmion : — 

" November's sky is chill and drear, 
November's leaf is red and sear : 
Late, gazing down the steepy linn, 
That hems our little garden in, 
Low in its dark and narrow glen, 
You scarce the rivulet might ken, 
So thick the tangled greenwood grew, 
So feeble trilled the streamlet through ; 
Now, murmuring hoarse, and frequent seen 
Through bush and briar, no longer green, 
An angry brook, it sweeps the glade, 
Brawls over rock and wild cascade, 
And, foaming brown with doubled speed, 
Hurries its waters to the Tweed." 



INTRODUCTION xxi 

Here lie began the daily programme carried on with few 
variations until 1825. Rising at five, he was at his desk 
by six, with his papers arranged methodically before him, 
with his books of reference, and with at least one favorite 
dog at his feet. By breakfast time, between nine and ten, 
he said he had accomplished enough " to break the neck 
of the day's work." A couple of hours' more writing, and 
by noon he was his " own man." When the weather was 
stormy, he was on horseback by one o'clock, and visitors 
could scarcely realize the forenoon of solitary labor that 
had preceded. Riding, hunting, and salmon-spearing 
were his favorite amusements, and, lame though he was, 
Scott was usually the most daring of the company. 

His delight in adorning the grounds of Ashiestiel in- 
creased his longing for land-ownership, and in 1812 the 
increase of the salary for his Clerkship of Session enabled 
him to buy his coveted mountain farm, five miles lower 
down the Tweed. To Abbotsford he owed his happiest 
days and some of his heaviest sorrows. The first years 
were unclouded, however, and the removal thither was a 
merry one. The loud grief of the neighbors at losing 
their kind friends gave way to laughter at the collection 
of twenty-five cartloads of furniture and antiquities, dogs, 
pigs, horses, poultry, fishing-rods, guns, and children. A 
young family of turkeys screened themselves from rude 
gaze in the helmet of some mediaeval Lochinvar, and Scott 
adds, in a letter to a friend, " The very cows, for aught I 
know, were bearing banners and muskets." The new 
property was christened Abbotsford because the land 
formerly belonged to the Abbots of Melrose Abbey, the 



XXll IXTRODUCTION 

exquisite ruins of which are in sight from many points of 
the estate. All readers of Washington Irving are famil- 
iar with his account of this handsome residence and its 
occupants, and no traveller in Scotland ever fails to spend 
some hours within its sacred enclosure. The massive 
structure of dark gray granite with its picturesque turrets 
somewhat resembles a feudal castle, and we are surprised 
at the air of cosy comfort within. The broad, low win- 
dows overlooking the lawn and the Tweed are as inviting 
as is the well-stocked armory. Through the kindness 
of Sir Walter's descendants, the Scott-Maxwells, we may 
pass through room after room filled with mementos of 
the great magician. The spacious and cheery library with 
its leather-covered seats remains just as he left it, and 
many a trophy of his exploits in the chase adorns the 
walls of the various apartments. Here was Sir Walter's 
abiding-place for the remainder of his days, except for 
some seasons on Castle Street, Edinburgh, and an occa- 
sional journey; and here he died on a bright autumn 
day in 1832, with the ripple of the river singing a soft 
requiem. 

Friends. — The same traits which made the schoolboy 
so great a favorite with his mates in the Edinburgh high 
school, won for him the lasting friendships of his maturer 
years. Every one loved him, from Tom Purdie, his devoted 
body-servant, up (or down) to his Majesty George IV. 
Wordsworth, the poet, was a life-long friend, and many 
tales are told at Grasmere of Scott's visits to his brother 
author at Dove Cottage. It was the most brilliant period 
in the literary life of Scotland, and almost all of the 



INTRODUCTION XX111 

philosophers and reviewers of the time belonged to one 
or another of the literary clubs of which Scott was a 
leading member. In 1820 he was made President of the 
Royal Society of Edinburgh, and it is of interest to 
know also that, when Quentin Durward was published 
three years later, he had just been elected a member 
of "The Club" of clubs. That means, of course, the 
one which still nourishes in London, and which was 
established at the Turk's Head by Dr. Samuel Johnson 
and his friends, Burke, Reynolds, Goldsmith, and the 
others. 

Both Abbotsford and the house on Castle Street were 
filled with guests. Among them Scott was always the 
same genial host and sensible, manly conversationalist. 
Perhaps the best known of his intimate friends is "Willie " 
Laidlaw. This old acquaintance had lost his property, 
and Scott gave him a cottage near Abbotsford. Ever 
after Mr. Laidlaw was his principal literary helper and 
trusted assistant in all things. Sir Walter's relations to 
his dependants, including the humblest, were as kindly, 
even to familiarity, as his own political principles were 
aristocratic. In 1820 a baronetcy was conferred upon 
him as a personal gift of friendship from the King. 

No account of his friends is complete without reference 
to his cats, dogs, and ponies. Mettlesome Brown Adam 
could be mounted by no one except his owner. Sybil 
Grey and the Covenanter were later boon companions. 
Every one knows his dogs. Maida, to whom he raised a 
marble slab, was the " Bevis " of Woodstock. When 
Camp, the deerhound, died, Sir Walter declined a pre- 



xxiv INTROD UCTION 

viously accepted invitation to dinner on the score of the 
" death of an old friend." When he failed financially, 
one of his chief anxieties was lest his four-footed pets and 
his servants should not be comfortably provided for in 
their old age. The magnificent monument in Edinburgh, 
opposite the Old Waverley Hotel, is covered with statues 
of different personages in his novels; but the place of 
honor, beside the seated master under the canopy of ex- 
quisite marble, is occupied by one of these loved dogs. 

Financial Affairs. — With the free-handed generosity of 
his temperament, it was natural that Scott should always 
have been inclined to spend money before he had earned 
it. As Abbotsford grew, his ambitions grew still faster, 
until only a princely fortune could satisfy them. It is a 
matter of regret to his lovers that he should have cared 
more to possess a great manorial estate and to have placed 
upon his tomb, " Walter Scott, Baronet," than to be known 
as " The Magician of the North." But it was so. Dur- 
ing his prosperous years money poured in so lavishly from 
his romances that the supply seemed inexhaustible and 
was constantly overdrawn. A most unfortunate partner- 
ship was formed with two brothers named Ballantyne, 
one of whom had been an old schoolfellow; the other 
was none too honest; all three lacked judgment regard- 
ing the merits of most books except Scott's own, and 
brought out many unsalable works. In 1825 came the 
crash, precipitated by the failure of the Constables, his 
other publishers. Scott refused to shield himself behind 
the bankrupt law, and, rising to his full height, said to 
his creditors : " Gentlemen, time and I against any two 



INTRODUCTION XXV 

Let me take this good ally into company and I believe I 
shall be able to pay you every farthing." In three years 
he paid back £40,000, and when he died, his son-in-law, 
Mr. Lockhart, completed the task, seeing that every far- 
thing then due was paid within fifteen years after Scott's 
death. 

Further Troubles. — No soldier ever showed himself 
braver in battle than was Sir Walter during the seven 
years in which he struggled to pay off the whole £117,000, 
more than half a million dollars. To these years might 
be applied even more truly the words used concerning the 
writing of Waverley by a young student who roomed in 
Edinburgh, across the street from the untiring author. 
" I have been watching that hand, 7 ' he said ; " it fascinates 
my eye; it never stops; page after page is finished and 
thrown on that heap of manuscript, and still it goes on 
unwearied; and so it will be until candles are brought 
in, and God knows how long after that. It is the same 
every night, — I can't stand a sight of it when I am not 
at my books." " Some stupid, dogged, engrossing clerk, 
probably," exclaimed a listener, "or some giddy youth 
in our society." "No, boys," interrupted the host, "I 
well know what hand it is — 'tis Walter Scott's." 

The blow to his pride was perhaps hardest of all. But 
other afflictions followed quickly. His wife died within a 
few months ; his daughter Anne was far from well ; then 
his own health began to fail, and'the dogged labor brought 
on paralysis. His publishers reproached him because the 
old witchery seemed to have departed, and he blamed him- 
self because his numbed brain could create no more novels 



xxvi INTRODUCTION 

like the early ones. But through it all, courage and faith 
in God never left the dying hero. 

The End. — In 1831 he was taken to the Continent for 
his health. Immediately before his departure he was 
visited by Wordsworth, and the two spent a day on the 
banks of Yarrow. The following lines are taken from 
Yarrow Revisited, written by the English poet in mem- 
ory of that occasion : — 

" For thee, O Scott ! compelled to change 

Green Eildon-hill and Cheviot, 
For warm Vesuvio's vine-clad slopes, 

And leave thy Tweed and Teviot 
For mild Sorrento's breezy waves, 

May classic fancy, linking 
With native fancy her fresh aid, 

Preserve thy heart from sinking. 

u Oh ! while they minister to thee, 
Each vying with the other, 
May Health return to mellow age, 

With Strength, her venturous brother; 

yfc yfc 7|r •%; vf; 

For thou, upon a hundred streams, 

By tales of love and sorrow, 
Of faithful love, undaunted truth, 

Hast shed the power of Yarrow." 

The next March occurred the death of his admired 
contemporary, Goethe; this made him the more impatient 
to return to Abbotsf ord before his own approaching end. 
He reached the Tweed, to be met there by Mr. Laidlaw 
and the welcoming dogs. 

For a little he revived, and lingered two months more. 



INTRODUCTION XX VH 

His last conscious words, an epitome of his whole life, 
were to his son-in-law and biographer, John Gibson Lock- 
hart : " Lockhart, I may have but a moment to speak to 
you. My dear, be a good man — be virtuous — be reli- 
gious — be virtuous — be a good man. Nothing else will 
give you any comfort when you come to lie here." Then, 
being asked if his two daughters, Sophia and Anne, 
should be sent for, he replied : " No, don't disturb them. 
Poor souls, I know they were up all night. God bless 
you all ! " Four days later, September 21, 1832, he 
passed away from earth, and on the 26th the funeral cor- 
tege wound over the hills, bearing the body to the tomb 
of his ancestors, within the imposing ruins of Dryburgh 
Abbey, under the caressing branches of the grand old trees, 
which help to make the place one of the most beautiful in 
Great Britain. The Tweed flowing by is now spanned 
by a little suspension foot-bridge, and the sloping banks 
are a bower of wild roses, " falling in streamers green." 

One July day the writer of this little sketch entered 
the railway carriage at St. Boswells, with hands full 
of the fragrant sweetbrier, which the old coachman 
had culled during our absence at the Abbey. A gentle 
lady and her daughter were already in the compart- 
ment. Some of the roses naturally soon found their 
way to the white-haired mother, and, before reaching 
Hawick, we learned that the ladies dwelt at the Duke of 
Buccleugh's castle, the Branksome Tower where the Last 
Minstrel chanted his Lay. "You must have just come 
from Dryburgh," exclaimed the daughter, " for no roses 
grow anywhere else as fine and sweet-scented as these of 



xx viii INTROD UCTION 

Dryburgh Abbey ! " The fragrance of the wild roses was 
a fitting ending to our day at the home and the burial- 
place of Walter Scott, for, eighty-five years before, he 
sang, — 

11 wilding rose, whom fancy thus endears, 
I bid your blossoms in my bonnet wave ; 
Emblem of hope and love through future years ! " 

— The Lady of the Lake, Prelude to Canto IV. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE 

The Lady of the Lake, the third and most universally 
popular of Scott's long poems, was first published, as has 
been said above, in 1810, and produced, within two years, 
the astonishing sum of £10,000. Little need be remarked 
here of its various editions. The fertility and fluency of 
its author prevented him from taking much time for revi- 
sion. Many errors crept into earlier editions, but they 
were seldom serious. We have followed in the main the 
scholarly text of Dr. William J. Eolfe, who has carefully 
collated the various copies and original manuscript. 

TJie Lady of the Lake is a versified romance in six can- 
tos, each canto being introduced by a short prelude, and 
relieved by one or more songs. The action of each canto 
covers one day, so that the whole is included within a 
week. The scene is laid in the Highlands of Western 
Perthshire, between Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond. 
The territory can be easily traversed in a single day by 
the tourist. It was this poem which introduced the 
region to the public, and made it the best-known motui- 



INTRODUCTION xxix 

tain district in the world, with the possible exception of 
that around Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. To the latter 
it is far inferior in grandeur, but superior in the charm of 
its association, owing to Sir Walter's pen. The story of 
the Knight incognito, James Fitz-James, and his acquaint- 
ance with fair Ellen, daughter of the banished Douglas, 
is sq easily followed that it w T ould be unkind to mar the 
reader's pleasure by revealing it. 

Criticisms. — Charming as is the narrative, it has 
called forth some adverse criticisms. E,. H. Hutton 
terms it a novelette in verse, without the higher and 
broader characteristics of Scott's prose novels. He adds : 
"I suppose what one expects from a poem as distin- 
guished from a [prose] romance — even though the poem 
incorporates a story — is that it should not rest for the 
chief interest on the mere development of the story ; but 
rather that the narrative should be quite subordinate to 
that insight into the deeper side of life and manners, 
in expressing which poetry has so great an advantage 
over prose. Of The Lay and Marmion this is true ; 
less true of The Lady of the Lake." It seems to us, 
nevertheless, that the critic's partiality for Marmion 
inclines him to be too severe toward the quiet sister. 
And " insight into the deeper side of life " was never the 
aim of our modern troubadour, but to tell an interesting 
story in an interesting way. The mode of versification 
affords opportunity for expression often careless and 
sometimes slipshod, and Scott's peculiar genius did not 
take the form of either deep thought or intense feeling, 
although we find the latter in some of his prose romances. 



xxx IX TR OD UC TIOX 



Characters. — The characters in The Lady of the Lake 
while presented somewhat superficially, are very pleas- 
ing. The relations between Ellen and the father are 
models for imitation. " Their mutual affection and 
solicitude, their pride in each other's excellencies, the 
parent's regret at the obscurity to which fate has doomed 
his child, and the daughter's self-devotion to her father's 
welfare and safety constitute the highest interest of the 
poem, and that which is most uniformly sustained.'' 
The above is quoted from the evidence given by the 
critic who first publicly declared that the man who de- 
scribed the love between Isaac and Kebecca, David Deans 
and his daughter. Sir Duncan Campbell and his child, 
and a score of others, must be the same who wrote The 
Lady of the Lake and Rokehy. Snowdoun s Knight is a 
gallant stranger. Roderick Dhu and ]\Ialcolm Graeme 
bring out each other's values, the old minstrel and Dame 
Margaret win our sympathies from the start, while the 
lesser persons have each a distinct, even if slight, indi- 
viduality. 

Versification. — The poem is written in fluent iambic 
tetrameter, xa xa xa xa, with an occasional trochee, as, — 

u Onward | amid | the copse | 'gaii peep." 

The rhyme is in couplets, sometimes extended to complete 
the sense, as, — 

11 Thus up the margin of the Lake, 
Between the precipice and brake. 
(J*er stock and rock their race thev take." 



be, 



INTRODUCTION XXXI 

Scott felt that this was the best measure for the tales, 
having much of the smoothness of the heroic couplet, less 
monotony, and a more rapid movement. 

All introductions are in the standard Spenserian 
stanza, so called because first used by Edmund Spenser, 
author of the Faerie Queene. The additional foot in the 
closing line of each stanza gives a lingering effect espe- 
cially adapted to imitate the harp accompaniment. 

No two of the songs are constructed exactly alike, and 
it will be pleasant for the student to observe the means 
by which each carries out the feeling of the singer. 
Compare, for instance, the sad martial melody of, — 

" Soldier, rest ! thy warfare o'er, 
Sleep the sleep that knows no breaking," 

with its hint of muffled drum beat, with the triumphant 
shout, — 

" Hail to the chief who in triumph advances, 
Honored and blest be the evergreen Pine ! " 

" Loud should Clan- Alpine then 
King from her deepmost glen, 
Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho, ieroe ! " 

Then the joyous ballad of Alice Brand, — 

" Merry it is in the good greenwood, 

When the mavis and merle are singing, 
When the deer sweeps by, and the hounds are in cry, 
And the hunter's horn is ringing.'" 

Beauties. — Next to the interest of the story the charm 
of the poem lies in its description. Scott himself said 



XXXli INTRODUCTION 

of it, "The force of The Lay is thrown on style, of 
Marmion on description, and of The Lady of the Lake on 
incident." The verdict of Jeffrey, in the Edinburgh 
Review, is usually considered final. " It is more polished 
in its diction, and more regular in its versification ; the 
story is constructed with infinitely more skill and 
address ; there is a greater proportion of pleasing and 
tender passages with much less antiquarian detail ; 
and upon the whole, a larger variety of characters, more 
artfully and judiciously contrasted. There is nothing so 
fine, perhaps, as the battle in Marmion, or so picturesque 
as some of the scattered sketches in The Lay ; but there 
is a richness and a spirit in the whole piece which does 
not pervade either of those poems, — a profusion of 
incident and a shifting brilliancy of coloring that reminds 
us of the witchery of Ariosto, and a constant elasticity 
and occasional energy which seems to belong more 
peculiarly to the author now before us." Such passages 
as the picturing of the glen at sunset in the first canto, of 
Ellen in the same, of the gathering and preparation of 
the Fiery Cross in the third ; of the parting of Koderick 
Dhu and James Fitz-James, and of the sports at Stirling 
in the fifth, are of rare excellence. In narration the 
Combat and the Battle of BeaP an Duine are second only 
to the account of Flodden Field in Marmion. Lockhart 
tells how The Lady of the Lake first reached a company 
of Scotch soldiers in Spain during the Xapoleonic wars. 
They were exposed at the time to the fire of the enemy. 
The men were made to lie at full length on the earth, 
while the captain, himself kneeling, read aloud the 



INTRODUCTION xxxiii 

description of that battle of BeaP an Duine. All danger 
was forgotten, and the listening soldiers only interrupted 
him by a joyous huzza, when the French shot struck the 
bank close above them. Again, this poem is one of Scott's 
titles to be called "the poet of association." Every 
bank, glen, and stream, as well as every old ruin, held 
him, not only by its intrinsic beauty, but also by every 
possible legend or adventure that could be suggested by it. 
Purpose and Conclusion. — It is the fashion nowadays 
to seek for some underlying "criticism of life" in every 
bit of literature. Sir Walter lived before it became 
necessary that even a poetic tale should have a purpose. 
Besides, he was not that sort of man. He preferred to 
take you with him on a ramble or a gallop in the invigor- 
ating breezes of his beloved Highlands, and introduce you 
to all the fascinating people along the road. If you prefer 
to sit indoors by the fire and moralize, it is no concern of 
his. Perhaps, after all, the tonic of the Trosachs may 
be more healthful to soul as well as to body. Best of all 
it may be, to have spent these hours with eyes wider 
open than before to the flowers and the sunrise glory, in 
the companionship of a great-minded Man who was to the 
day of his death a frank, warm-hearted, unspoiled Boy. 

CHIEF WRITINGS OF SCOTT 

I. Translations, 1795-1800. 
II. Ballads, 1800-1819. 

Eve of St. John 1800 

Border Minstrelsy .... 1802-1803 
Cadyow Castle 1802 



XXXIV 



INTRODUCTION 



III. 



IV. 



Long Poems. 










The Lay of the Last Minstrel . . 1805 


Marmion . . . 




1808 


The Lady of the Lake . 






1810 


Vision of Don Roderick 






1811 


Rokeby .... 






1812 


The Bridal of Triermain 






1813 


The Lord of the Isles 






1815 


Waverley Novels. 








Waverley 






1814 


Guy Mannering 






1815 


The Antiquary 






1816 


The Black Dwarf . 






1816 


Old Mortality 






1816 


Rob Roy 






. 1818 


The Heart of Mid-Lothian 






1818 


The Bride of Lainmermoor 






1819 


The Legend of Montrose 






1819 


Ivanhoe .... 






1820 


The Monastery 








. 1820 


The Abbot . 








1820 


Kenilworth . 








1821 


The Pirate . 








1822 


The Fortunes of Nigel . 








1822 


Peveril of the Peak 








1823 


Quentin Durward . 








. 1823 


St. Ronan's Well . 








1824 


Redgauntlet . 








1821 


The Betrothed 








1825 


The Talisman 








1825 


Woodstock . 








1826 


The Two Drovers . 








1827 


The Highland Widow 








1827 


The Surgeon's Daughter 






1827 


The Pair Maid of Perth 






1828 


Anne of Geierstein 








1829 



INTRODUCTION 



XXXV 



Count Robert of Paris 
Castle Dangerous . 
V. Tales of a Grandfather 
Life of Napoleon . 



. 1831 
. 1831 
1827-30 
. 1827 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE 



Scott's Life and Works. 


Literature. 


History. 


1771. 


Aug. 15, born. 




George III., king. 


1775. 




Charles Lamb born. 


American Revolu- 
tion . 


1776. 






Declaration of Inde- 
pendence of United 
States of America. 


1778. 


Entered Edinburgh 
High School. 






1785. 


Entered University 
of Edinburgh. 


De Quincey born. 




1787. 


Burns, Songs. 


Constitution of Unit- 








ed States of Amer- 








ica formed. 


1788. 






Trialof Warren Hast- 








ings. 


1789. 






Washington, Presi- 








dent of United 








States of America. 


1789-92. 




French Revolution. 


1790. 




Franklin died. 




1792. 


The Bar. 


Shelley born. 




1795. 
1797. 


Married. 


Carlyle, Keats, born. 


Napoleonic wars. 


1798! 


Wordsworth and 








Coleridge, Lyrical 








Ballads. 




1799. 


Sheriff of Selkirk- 
shire. 




Washington died. 


1800. 


Macaulay born. 




1801. 






Jefferson, President 
of United States 
of America. 


1802. 


Border Minstrelsy. 







XXXVI IXTBOT) UCTIOX 

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE — Continued 



Scott's Life a>t> Works. 


Literature. 


History. 


1803. 




Emerson born. 


Louisiana Purchase. 


1805. 


Lay of Last Minstrel. 






1806. 


Clerk of Session. 






1807. 




Longfellow born. 




1808. 


Marmion. 






1809. 




Tennyson born. 


Lincoln born. 


1810. 


Lady of the Lake. 






1811. 


Bought Abbotsford. 


Thackeray born. 




1812. 




Browning-. Dickens. 


Moscow burned. 






born. 


War of 1812. 






Byron, Ch ilde Harold. 




1814. 


Waverley 






1815. 


Guy Mannering. 




Battle of Waterloo. 
Holy Alliance. 


1818. 


Bob Boy. 






1819. 


Bride of Lammer- 


Kingsley. Ruskin, 






moor. 


Lowell. 




1820. 


Kenilworth. 


"George Eliot," born. 


Missouri Compro- 






Bryant, Thanatopsis. 


mise. 






Irving, Sketch Book. 








Keats. Eve of St. 








Agnes. 








Shelley, To a Sky- 
lark. 
Cooper. Tiie Spy. 




1821. 










Keats died. 




1822. 




Matthew Arnold born. 
Shelley died. 




1823. 


Quentin Durward. 






1824. 




Byron died. 




1825. 


Bankruptcy. 


Macaulav, Essay on 


Greek struggle for 






Milton. 


independence. 


1827. 


Life of Napoleon. 






1828. 


Woodstock. 




Catholic emancipa- 
tion in England. 


1830. 




Tennyson, Poems. 




1831. 


Count Bobert of 


Whittier, Poems. 


Webster's debate 




Paris. 


Poe, Poems. 


with Hayne in Unit- 




Castle Dangerous. 




ed States Senate. 




Sept. 21, died. 




English struggle to 
pass Reform Bill. 





INTRODUCTION XXXvil 

SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY 

The following suggestions may be of aid to students 
who have no regular instructor, and to teachers of little 
experience with this poem. The others are requested to 
omit what must necessarily seem trite or obvious. 

The young reader seldom takes much interest in the 
biography of an author whose works are as yet untried. 
Scott and Wordsworth are notable exceptions ; neither of 
them can be properly appreciated without a knowledge 
of the conditions which made the man. So it is best to 
become acquainted at the beginning with the man, Sir 
Walter Scott. All later accounts of his life are neces- 
sarily mere abstracts of the voluminous compendium by 
Lockhart. Of abridgments the best seems to be that 
by R. H. Hutton in the English Men of Letters Series. 

Next, one needs to know the romantic past of Scotland. 
The Tales of a Grandfather supply this knowledge in 
fascinating form. Then we need to know the country, 
and, fortunately, photographs are plenty and cheap. The 
schoolroom should be lined with them. If the school 
owns a stereopticon, the study of the poem may well be 
preceded and followed by an illustrated talk, from some 
one who has been in the Trosachs and knows how to tell 
about them. We knew one class that interrupted the 
delighted lecturer repeatedly by impromptu concert reci- 
tation of the appropriate verses. Bits of heather and 
foxglove are a help. The map may be enlarged for chart 
or blackboard, and all places located thereon. 

Some teachers find it desirable to read a canto through 



XXXTU1 IX TROD uc t: n 

first for the narrative only, and then study it in detail ; 
others would keep the two pari passu. We prefer the 
former method, always limiting it to a single canto, and 
following the minute study by a continuous reading aloud, 
for pleasure and as a test of comprehension. Very rarly, 
attention may be called to the verse movement as an 
expression of feeling. Whether or not there should be 
any formal naming of the iambus, trochee, or other tech- 
nicalities, depends entirely upon the stage in the school 
course when this poem is taken. Try to reproduce the 
atmosphere, the connection between the mouldering Harp 
of the Xorth, and this tale of the days of chivalry. Keep 
the opening scenes in view until Glenartney and Loch 
Katrine seem as real as the daily walk to school, and you 
feel with Scott's huntsman-auditor that, u it was a shame 
to let such fine dogs take to the water when heated; they 
would certainly be ruined." Describe orally and in writ- 
ing the different characters, and be on the watch to dis- 
cover how natural scenery is made to furnish an effective 
background for the human beings and their adventures. 
If The Lady of the Lake be the first long poem used 
for genuine literary study, as is often the case, two things 
are of vital importance : that the appetite should be 
whetted for more poetry, and that the pupil should learn 
how to study poetry. To secure scholarly work and at 
the same time give a lasting taste for this most perfect 
form of literary art is no easy undertaking, though 
experience proves that both can be done successfully, 
provided the effort be made before the pupil has out- 
grown the period when romantic action appeals to him. 



INTRODUCTION XXXIX 

With students in the upper grammar or lower high 
school grades there is much difficulty in grasping the 
meaning of inverted sentences. So daily drill is useful 
at the beginning in changing the verses into prose order, 
and in substituting prose synonyms. One should decide 
whether any other expression would answer the purpose 
equally well. Scott is no such word artist as Keats or 
Tennyson, still his choice is usually apt. Allusions may 
be looked up and some attention paid to figures of speech. 
Yet Scott's imagery is too clear and straightforward to 
require much analysis, and we may agree that to most 
students no allusion or figure of speech is of any value 
except as it illuminates the thought. After the student 
has done all these things and formed his own interpreta- 
tion, let him study the notes for correction and for further 
information. And then let him read the assigned por- 
tion aloud once more thoughtfully, trying to see the pic- 
ture through the author's eyes. When a canto has been 
gone over in the manner extensively and intensively, the 
topic of each stanza may be ascertained and the story of 
the whole canto reduced to a scale. This last is most 
desirable because untrained writers have so little sense 
of proportion, and put so much timber into their under- 
pinning that often none is left for the roof. 

The above are general hints. Others will appear among 
the notes. Two more we will offer now. Commit to 
memory from time to time as much as can be done with- 
out its becoming a burdensome task. Finally, complete 
the study by writing compositions to be illustrated by 
water-color sketches or pen and ink drawings. A list of 



xl :: r? r r: : 

themes for oral and written composition is given here, 
and the instructor will think of others. And let the 
results be the pupils' very best attainment. 

Outside Reading. — It is well to read either The Lay of 
the Last Minstrel or Marmion at home after this poem has 
been completed and then let the two be compared. We 
hope also that the student will not rest until he has come 
under the spell of Scott's prose romances. The Abbot is 
a natural sequel to The Lady of the Lake, but probably 
Tmrthoe, The Talisman, or KenUworth would be a more 
attractive introduction. 

THEMES FOR ORAL AXD WRITTEN 

COMPOSITION 

Suggested by The Lady of the Lake 

I. 3: :■ :-j.a?e::a:. 

1. A Day at Abbotsfoid with Scott. 

2. A Day in the Highlands with Scott. 

3. Conversation between Scott and Irving. 

4. I: I ::-'. :;. ii3.T- ;^i YT;,"_: T : S:;::. 
IL Historical. 

1. James V. and his Daughter Mary. 

2. The Douglas Family. 

3. Monarchs who travelled in Disguise. 

4. Me::.TT:-.'. ^V;.::;.rr. 

6. Robin Hood and his Merry Men. 
HI. Descriptive. 

1. Some Familiar Bit of Mountain Scenery. 

2. A Field-day, a Boat Race, e: 

3. Based on the Games in Canto V. 

4. Loch Katrine and its Environs. 



INTRODUCTION xli 

5. Sunrise on Loch Katrine. 

6. Sunset in the Trosachs. 

7. Moonlight on Loch Katrine. 

8. The Goblin Cave and its Inmates. 

9. The Meetings of James and Ellen. 

10. The Departure of James from the Island. 

11. The Death of Duncan. 

12. The Wedding at Saint Bride's. 

13. Clan Alpine's Men in Martial Array. 

14. Death of Murdoch. 

15. Meeting of James with Blanche. 

16. Roderick Dhu and his Stranger-guest at Supper. 

17. The Games. 

18. Morning in the Court of Guard. 

19. Ellen at the Court of the King. 

IV. Narrative. 

1. The Chase. 

2. Abstracts of Cantos. 

3. The Path of the Fiery Cross. 

4. The Combat. 

5. The Battle. 

6. Abstract of Entire Poem. 

V. Critical. 

1. Character Sketches of the Chief Personages. 

2. Ellen and Evangeline. 

3. James and the Black Knight. (Ivanhoe.) 

4. Songs in The Lady of the Lake. 

5. Scott's Use of Natural Scenery compared with Ten- 

nyson's (or Longfellow's, or Milton's). 

6. Explanation of Selected Figures of Speech. 

7. Scott as a Story-teller. 

8. Scott's Use of Color. 

9. Are we Less Courteous than the Highlanders ? 

VI. Imaginative. 

1. Preparing for the Chase. 

2. Ellen's Lift; Previous to her Father's Exile. 



xlii INTRODUCTION 

3. Other Adventures of James in Disguise. 

4. An Evening at Ellen's Isle. 

5. The Life of Allan-bane. 

6. Lufra's Account of the Games. 

7. A Glimpse of Ellen at Holyrood after her Marriage. 

8. An Original Ballad. 

9. " And thoughts on thoughts, a countless throng, 

Rushed, chasing countless thoughts along." 



\ 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE 



CANTO FIKST 

THE CHASE 

Harp of the North ! that mouldering long hast hung 

On the °witch-elm that shades °Saint Milan's spring, 
And down the fitful breeze thy °numbers flung, 

Till °envious ivy did around thee cling, 
Muffling with verdant ringlet every string, — 

O Minstrel Harp, still must thine accents sleep ? 
Mid rustling leaves and fountains murmuring, 

Still must thy sweeter sounds their silence keep, 
Nor bid a warrior smile, nor teach a maid to weep ? 

Not thus, in ancient days of °Caledon, 10 

Was thy voice mute amid the festal crowd, 
When lay of hopeless love, or glory won, 

Aroused the fearful or subdued the proud. 
At each °according pause was heard aloud 

Thine ardent symphony sublime and high ! 
Fair dames and crested chiefs attention bowed; 

For still the burden of thy minstrelsy 
Was Knighthood's dauntless deed, and Beauty's match- 
less eye. 

B 1 



2 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto I. 

0. wake once more ! how rude soe'er the hand 

That ventures o'er thy magic maze to stray : 20 

0. wake once more ! though scarce my skill command 

Some feeble echoing of thine earlier lay : 
Though harsh and faint, and soon to die away, 

And all unworthy of thy nobler strain, 
Yet if one heart throb higher at its sway. 

The wizard note has not been touched in vain. 
Then silent be no more! Enchantress, wake again. 



The stag at eve had drunk his fill, 

"Where danced the moon on °iIonan ? s rill, 

And deep his midnight lair had made 30 

In lone °Glenartney's hazel shade; 

But when the sun his °beacon red 

Had kindled on c Benvoirlich's head. 

The °deep-inouthed bloodhound's heavy bay 

Besounded up the rocky way, 

And faint, from farther distance borne, 

Were heard the clanging hoof and horn. 



n 

°As Chief, who hears his warder call, 

" To arms ! the foemen storm the wall,*' 

The antlered monarch of the was 40 

Sprung from his heathery couch in haste. 

But ere his fleet career he took, 

The dew-drops from his flanks he shook ; 

Like crested leader proud and high 

Tossed his °beamed frontlet to the sky ; 

A moment gazed °adown the dale, 



Canto I.] THE CHASE 3 

A moment snuffed the °tainted gale, 

A moment listened to the cry, 

That thickened as the chase drew nigh ; 

Then, "as the headmost foes appeared, 5 o 

With one brave bound the copse he cleared. 

And, stretching forward free and far, 

Sought the wild heaths of °Uam-Var. 

in 

°Yelled on the view the °opening pack ; 

Rock, glen, and cavern paid them back t/ 

To many a mingled sound at once 

The awakened mountain gave response. 

A hundred dogs bayed deep and strong, 

Clattered a hundred steeds along, 

Their peal the merry horns rung out, 60 

A hundred voices joined the shout ; 

With hark and whoop and wild halloo, 

jSTo rest Benvoirlich's echoes knew. 

Far from the tumult fled the roe, 

Close in her covert cowered the doe, 

The falcon, from her °cairn on high, 

Cast on the rout a wandering eye, 

Till far beyond her piercing °ken 

The hurricane had swept the glen. 

Faint, and more faint, its failing din yo 

Returned from cavern, cliff, and °linn, 

And silence settled, wide and still, 

On the lone wood and mighty hill. 

IV 

Less loud the sounds of sylvan war 
Disturbed the heights of Uam-Yar, 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto I. 

And roused the cavern where, 'tis told, 

A giant made his den of old ; 

For ere that steep ascent was won, 

High in his pathway hung the sun. 

And many a gallant, stayed perforce, Sc 

Was fain to °breathe his faltering horse, 

And of the trackers of the deer 

Scarce half the lessening pack was near ; 

So c shrewdly on the mountain-side 

Had the bold °burst their mettle tried. 



The noble stag was pausing now 

Upon the mountain's southern brow, 

Where broad extended, far beneath, 

The varied realms of fair °Menteith. 

With anxious eye he wandered o'er 90 

Mountain and meadow. °moss and moor, 

And pondered refuge from his toil, 

By far °Lochard or Aberfoyle. 

But nearer was the copsewood gray 

That waved and wept on °Loch Achray. 

And mingled with the pine-trees blue 

On the bold cliffs of Benvenue. 

Fresh vigor with the hope returned. 

With flying foot the heath he spurned, 

Held westward with unwearied race, 100 

And left behind the panting chase. 

VI 

'Twere long to tell what steeds gave o'er, 
°As swept the hunt through Cambusmore ; 
What reins were tightened in despair, 



Canto I.] THE CHASE 5 

When rose Benledi's ridge in air ; 

Who flagged upon Bochastle's heath, 

Who shunned to stem the flooded Teith, — 

For twice that day, from shore to shore, 

The gallant stag swam stoutly o'er. 

Few were the stragglers, following far, no 

That reached the lake of Vennachar ; 

And when the °Brigg of Turk was won, 

The headmost horseman rode alone. 

VII 

Alone, but with unbated zeal, 

That horseman plied the scourge and steel ; 

For jaded now, and spent with toil, 

°Embossed with foam, and dark with soil, 

While every gasp with sobs he drew, 

The laboring stag strained full in view. 

Two dogs of black °Saint Hubert's breed, 120 

Unmatched for courage, breath, and speed, 

Fast on his flying traces came, 

And all but won that desperate game ; 

For, scarce a spear's length from his haunch, 

Vindictive toiled the bloodhounds stanch ; 

Nor nearer might the dogs attain, 

Nor farther might the quarry °strain. 

Thus up the margin of the lake, 

Between the precipice and brake, 

O'er stock and rock their race they take. 130 

VTII 

The hunter marked that °mountain high, 
The lone lake's western boundary, 
And deemed the stag must turn to bay, 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto I. 

Where that huge rampart barred the way ; 

Already glorying in the prize, 

Measured his antlers with his eyes ; 

For the death-wound and death-halloo 

Mustered his breath, his °whinyard drew : — 

But thundering as he came prepared, 

With ready arm and weapon bared, i 4 o 

The wily quarry shunned the shock, 

And "turned him from the opposing rock ; 

Then, dashing down a darksome glen, 

Soon lost to hound and Hunter's ken, 

In the deep °Trosachs' wildest nook 

His solitary refuge took. 

There, while close °couched the thicket shed 

Cold clews and wild flowers on his head, 

He heard the baffled dogs in vain 

Eave through the hollow pass °amain, 150 

°Chiding the rocks that yelled again. 



IX 

Close on the hounds the Hunter came, 

To cheer them on the vanished game ; 

But, stumbling in the rugged dell, 

The gallant horse exhausted fell. 

The impatient rider strove in vain 

To rouse him with the spur and rein, 

For the good steed, his labors o'er, 

Stretched his stiff limbs, to rise no more ; 

Then, touched with pity and remorse, 160 

He sorrowed o'er the expiring horse. 

" I little thought, when first thy rein 

I slacked upon the banks of °Seine, 

That Highland eagle e'er should feed 



■ ? 



Canto I.] THE CHASE 

On thy fleet limbs, my matchless steed ! 
°Woe worth the chase, woe worth the day, 
That costs thy life, my gallant gray ! " 



Then through the dell his horn resounds, 

From vain pursuit to call the hounds. 

Back limped, with slow and crippled pace, 170 

The sulky leaders of the chase ; 

Close to their master's side they pressed, 

With drooping tail and humbled crest ; 

But still the dingle's hollow throat 

Prolonged the swelling bugle-note. 

The owlets started from their dream, 

The eagles answered with their scream, 

Round and around the sounds were cast, 

Till echo seemed an answering blast ; 

And on the Hunter hied his way, 180 

To join some comrades of the day, 

Yet often paused, so strange the road, 

So wondrous were the scenes it showed. 



XI 

°The western waves of ebbing day 

Boiled o'er the glen their level way ; 

Each purple peak, each flinty spire, 

Was bathed in floods of living fire. 

But not a setting beam could glow 

Within the dark ravines below, 

Where twined the path in shadow hid, 190 

Round many a rocky pyramid, 

Shooting abruptly from the dell 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto I. 

Its thunder-splintered pinnacle ; 

Round many an insulated mass, 

The °native bulwarks of the pass, 

Huge as the °tower which builders vain 

Presumptuous piled on Shinar's plain 

The rocky summits, split and rent, 

Formed turret, dome, or battlement, 

Or seemed fantastically set 200 

With cupola or minaret, 

Wild crests as pagod ever decked, 

Or mosque of Eastern architect. 

Nor were these earth-born castles bare, 

Nor lacked they many a banner fair ; 

For, from their shivered brows displayed, 

Far o'er the unfathomable glade, 

All twinkling with the dewdrop °sheen, 

The brier-rose fell in streamers green. 

And creeping shrubs of thousand dyes 210 

Waved in the west-wind's summer sighs. 



XII 

°Boon nature scattered, free and wild, 
Each plant or flower, the mountain's child. 
Here eglantine embalmed the air. 
Hawthorn and hazel mingled there ; 
The primrose pale and violet flower 
Found in each clift a narrow °bower : 
°Foxglove and nightshade, side by side. 
Emblems of punishment and pride. 
Grouped their dark hues with every stain 
The weather-beaten crags retain. 
With boughs that quaked at every breath, 
Gray birch and aspen wept beneath ; 



Canto I.] THE CHASE 9 

Aloft, the ash and warrior oak 

Cast anchor in the rifted rock ; 

And, higher yet, the pine-tree hung 

His shattered trunk, and frequent flung, 

°Where seemed the cliffs to meet on high, 

His boughs athwart the narrowed sky. 

Highest of all, where white peaks glanced, 230 

Where glistening streamers waved and danced, 

The wanderer's eye could barely view 

The summer heaven's delicious blue ; 

So wondrous wild, the whole might seem 

The scenery of a fairy dream. 



XIII 

Onward, amid the copse 'gan peep 

A narrow inlet, still and deep, 

Affording scarce such breadth of brim 

As served the wild duck's brood to swim. 

Lost for a space, through thickets veering, 240 

But broader when again appearing, 

Tall rocks and tufted knolls their face 

Could on the dark-blue mirror trace ; 

And farther as the Hunter strayed, 

Still broader sweep its channels made. 

The shaggy mounds no longer stood, 

Emerging from entangled wood, 

But, wave-encircled, seemed to float, 

Like castle girdled with its moat ; 

Yet broader floods extending still 250 

Divide them from their parent hill, 

Till each, retiring, claims to be 

An islet in an inland sea, 



10 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto I 



XIT 

°And now, to issue from the glen, 

Xo pathway meets the wanderer's ken. 

Unless he climb with footing mice 

A far-projecting precipice. 

The "broom's tough roots his ladder made, 

The hazel saplings lent their aid ; 

And thus an airy point he won, 260 

Where, gleaming with the setting sun, 

One burnished sheet of °living gold. 

Loch Katrine lay beneath him rolled, 

In all her length far winding lay, 

With promontory, creek, and bay, 

And islands that, empurpled bright, 

Floated amid the livelier light. 

And mountains that like giants stand 

To ^sentinel enchanted land. 

High on the south, huge Benvenue 270 

Dowu to the lake in masses threw 

Crags, knolls, and mounds, confusedly hurled, 

The fragments of an earlier world ; 

A "wildering forest feathered o'er 

His ruined sides and summit hoar. 

While on the north, through middle air, 

Ben-an heaved high his forehead bare. 



xv 

From the steep promontory gazed 

The stranger, raptured and amazed, 

And. u What a scene was here." he cried. 280 

" For princely pomp or churchman's pride ! 



Canto I.] THE CHASE 11 

On this bold brow, a lordly tower ; 

In that soft vale, a lady's bower ; 

On yonder meadow far away, 

The turrets of a °cloister gray ; 

How blithely might the bugle-horn 

Chide on the lake the lingering morn ! 

How sweet at eve the lover's lute 

Chime when the groves were still and mute ! 

And when the midnight moon °should lave 290 

Her forehead in the silver wave, 

How solemn on the ear would come 

The holy °matins' distant hum, 

While the deep peaPs commanding tone 

Should wake, in yonder islet lone, 

A sainted hermit from his cell, 

°To drop a bead with every knell ! 

And bugle, lute, and bell, and all, 

Should each bewildered stranger call 

To friendly feast and lighted hall. 300 



XVI 

" Blithe were it then to wander here ! 
But now — °beshrew yon nimble deer — 
Like that same hermit's, thin and spare, 
The copse must give my evening fare ; 
Some mossy bank my couch must be, 
Some rustling oak my canopy. 
Yet pass we that ; the war and chase 
Give little choice of resting-place ; — 
A summer night in greenwood spent 
Were but to-morrow's merriment : 
But hosts may in these wilds abound, 
Such as are better missed than found; 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto I. 

To meet with Highland plunderers here 
Were worse than loss of steed or deer. — 
I am alone ; — my bugle-strain 
May call some straggler of the train ; 
Or. fall the worst that may betide. 
Ere now this falchion has been tried." 



xvn v 

But scarce again his horn he wound. 

When lo ! forth starting at the sound, 320 

From underneath an aged °oak 

That slanted from the islet °rock. 

A damsel guider of its way, 

A little skiff shot to the bay. 

That round the promontory steep 

Led its deep line in graceful sweep. 

Eddying, in almost viewless wave, 

The weeping willow twig to lave. 

And kiss, with whispering sound and slow. 

The beach of pebbles bright as snow. 330 

The boat had touched this °silver strand 

Just as the Hunter left his stand, 

And stood concealed amid the brake, 

To view this Lady of the Lake. 

The maiden paused, as if again 

She thought to catch the distant strain. 

With head upraised, and look intent, 

And eye and ear attentive bent. 

And locks flung back, and lips apart. 

Like monument of Grecian art, 34a 

In listening 1 she seemed to stand. 

The guardian "Naiad of the strand. 



Canto I.] THE CHASE 13 

XVIII 

And ne'er did Grecian chisel trace 

A Nymph, a Naiad, or a Grace, 

Of finer form or lovelier face ! 

What though the sun, with ardent frown, 

Had slightly tinged her cheek with brown, — 

The °sportive toil, which, short and light, 

Had dyed her glowing hue so bright, 

Served too in hastier swell to show 350 

Short glimpses of a breast of snow : 

What though no rule of °courtly grace 

To °measured mood had trained her pace, — 

A foot more light, a step more true, 

Ne'er from the heath-flower dashed the dew ; 

E'en the slight harebell raised its head, 

Elastic from her airy tread : 

What though upon her speech there hung 

The accents of the mountain tongue, — 

Those silver sounds, so soft, so dear, 360 

The listener held his breath to hear ! 



XIX 

A °chieftain's daughter seemed the maid ; 

Her satin °snood, her silken °plaid, 

Her golden brooch, such birth betrayed. 

And seldom was a snood amid 

Such wild luxuriant ringlets hid, 

Whose glossy black to shame might bring 

The plumage of the raven's wing ; 

And seldom o'er a breast so fair 

Mantled a plaid with modest care, 370 

And never brooch the folds combined 



14 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Cahto I. 

' Above a heart more good and kind. 
Her kindness and her worth to spy. 
You need but gaze on Ellen's eye ; 
Not Katrine in her mirror blue 
Gives back the shaggy banks more true. 
Than every free-born glance Confessed 
The guileless movements of her breast ; 
Whether joy danced in her dark eye. 
Or woe or pity claimed a sigh. 3S0 

Or filial love was glowing there. 
Or meek devotion poured a prayer, 
Or tale of injury called forth 
c The indignant spirit of the North. 
r One only passion unrevealed 
With maiden pride the maid concealed, 
Yet not less purely felt the flame ; — 
0. need I tell that passion's name ? 



xx 

Impatient of the silent horn. 

Now on the gale her voice was borne : — 390 

" Father ! " she cried ; the rocks around 

Loved to prolong the gentle sound. 

Awhile she paused, no answer came : — 

" Malcolm, was thine the blast ? " the name 

Less resolutely uttered fell. 

The echoes could not catch the swell. 

"A stranger I." the Huntsman said. 

Advancing from the hazel shade. 

The maid, alarmed, with hasty oar 

Pushed her light shallop from the shore, 400 

And when a space was gained between. 

Closer she drew her bosom's screen; — 



Canto I.] THE CHASE lo 

So forth the startled swan would swing, 
So turn to °prune his ruffled wing. 
Then safe, though fluttered and amazed, 
She paused, and on the stranger gazed. 
Not his the form, nor his the eye, 
That youthful maidens °wont to fly. 

XXI 

°On his bold visage middle age 

Had slightly pressed its signet sage, 410 

Yet had not quenched the open truth 

And fiery vehemence of youth; 

°Forward and frolic glee was there, 

The will to do, the soul to dare, 

The sparkling glance, soon blown to fire, 

Of hasty love or headlong ire. 

His limbs were cast in manly mould 

For hardy sports or contest bold ; 

And though in peaceful garb arrayed, 

And weaponless except his blade, 420 

His stately mien as well implied 

A high-born heart, a martial pride, 

As if a baron's crest he wore, 

And sheathed in armor trode the shore. 

°Slighting the petty need he showed, 

He told of his benighted road; 

His ready speech flowed fair and free, 

In phrase of gentlest courtesy, 

Yet seemed that tone and gesture bland 

Less used to sue than to command. 430 

XXII 

Awhile the maid the stranger eyed, 
And, reassured, at length replied, 



16 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto I. 

That Highland halls were °open still 
To wildered wanderers of the hill. 

" Nor think yon unexpected eonie 

To yon lone isle, our desert home : 

Before the heath had lost the dew. 

This morn, a °coueh was pulled for you; 

On yonder mountain's purple head 

Have ptarmigan and heath-cock bled. 440 

And our broad nets have swept the °mere, 

To furnish forth your evening cheer. n — 

"Now, by the °rood. my lovely maid. 

Your courtesy has erred." he said : 

"No right have I to claim, misplaced, 

The welcome of expected guest. 

A wanderer, here by fortune tost. 

My way. my friends, my courser lost, 

I ne'er before, believe me. "fair, 

Have ever drawn your mountain air, 450 

Till on this lake's romantic strand 

I found a fay in fairy land ! " — 

XXIII 

"I well believe." the maid replied. 

As her light skiff approached the side, — 

'•I well believe, that ne'er before 

Your foot has trod Loch Katrine's shore ; 

But yet. = as far as "Yesternight. 

Old Allan-bane c foretold your plight, — 

A gray-haired sire, whose eye intent 

Was on the visioned future bent. 460 

He saw your steed, a c dappled gray, 

Lie dead beneath the birchen way ; 

Painted exact your form and mien. 



Canto I.] THE CHASE 17 

Your hunting-suit of °Lincoln green, 

That tasseiled horn so gayly gilt, 

That falchion's crooked blade and hilt, 

That cap with heron plumage trim, 

And yon two hounds so dark and grim. 

He bade that all should ready be 

To grace a guest of fair degree ; 470 

But light I held his prophecy, 

And deemed it was my father's horn 

Whose echoes o'er the lake were borne." 



XXIV 

The stranger smiled : — " Since to your home 

A destined °errant-knight I come, 

Announced by prophet °sooth and old, 

Doomed, doubtless, for achievement bold, 

I'll lightly front each high °emprise 

For one kind glance of those bright eyes. 

Permit me first the task to guide 480 

Your fairy frigate o'er the tide. 

The maid, with smile suppressed and sly, 

The toil unwonted saw him try ; 

For seldom, sure, if e'er before, 

His noble hand had grasped an oar : 

Yet with main strength his strokes he drew, 

And o'er the lake the shallop flew; 

With heads erect and whimpering cry, 

The hounds behind their passage ply. 

Nor °frequent does the bright oar break 490 

The darkening mirror of the lake, 

Until the °rocky isle they reach, 

And moor their shallop on the beach. 



18 THE LADY OF THE LAKE Xa>t . I. 



XXV 

The stranger viewed the shore around ; 

'Twas all so close with eopsewood bound, 

Nor track nor pathway might declare 

That human foot frequented their. 

Until the mountain maiden showed 

A clambering unsuspected road, 

That °winded through the tangled screen, 5 : : 

And opened on a narrow green, 

Where weeping birch and willow round 

With their long fibres swept the ground. 

°Here, for retreat in dangerous hour, 

Some chief had framed a rustic bower. 

XXVI 

It was a lodge of ample size, 

But strange of structure and device ; 
Of such materials as around 
The workman's hand had readiest found- 
Lopped of their boughs, their hoar trunks bared, 510 
And by the hatchet rudely squared. 
To give the walls their destined height, 
The sturdy oak and ash unite ; 
While moss and clay and leaves combined 
To fence each crevice from the wind. 
The lighter pine-trees overhead 
Their slender length for rafters spread, 
And withered heath and rushes dry 
Supplied a russet canopy. 

Due westward, fronting to the green, y: 

A rural portico was seen, 
Aloft on native pillars borne, 



Canto I.] THE CHASE 19 

Of mountain fir with bark unshorn, 

Where Ellen's hand had taught to twine 

The ivy and Idsean vine, 

The clematis, the favored flower 

Which boasts the name of virgin-bower, 

And every hardy °plant could bear 

Loch Katrine's keen and searching air. 

An instant in this porch she stayed, 530 

And gayly to the stranger said : 

" On heaven and on thy lady call, 

And enter the enchanted hall ! " 



XXVII 

" My hope, my heaven, my trust must be, 

My gentle guide, in following thee ! " — 

He crossed the threshold, — and a clang 

Of angry steel that instant rang. 

To his bold brow his spirit rushed, 

But soon for vain alarm he blushed, 

When on the floor he saw displayed, 540 

Cause of the din, a naked blade 

Dropped from the sheath, that careless flung 

Upon a stag's huge antlers swung ; 

For all around, the walls to grace, 

Hung °trophies of the fight or chase : 

A target there, a bugle here, 

A battle-axe, a hunting-spear, 

And broadswords, bows, and arrows store, 

With the tusked trophies of the boar. 

Here grins the wolf as when he died, 550 

And there the wild-cat's brindled hide 

The frontlet of the elk adorns, 

Or mantles o'er the bison's horns ; 



20 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto I. 

Pennons and flags defaced and stained, 
That blackening streaks of blood retained, 
And deer-skins, dappled, dun, and white, 
With otter's fur and seal's unite, 
In rude and uncouth °tapestry all, 
To garnish forth the sylvan hall. 

XXYIII 

The wondering stranger round him gazed, 560 

And next the fallen weapon raised : — 

Few were the arms whose sinewy strength 

Sufficed to stretch it forth at length. 

And as the brand he poised and swayed, 

" I never knew but one," he said, 

"Whose stalwart arm might °brook to wield 

A blade like this in battle-field." 

She sighed, then smiled and took the word : 

"You see the guardian champion's sword; 

As light it trembles in his hand 570 

As in my grasp a hazel wand : 

My sire's tall form might grace the part 

Of Terragus or Ascabart, 

But in the absent giant's hold 

Are women now, and menials old." 



XXIX 

The mistress of the mansion came, 

Mature of age, a graceful dame, 

Whose easy step and stately port 

Had well become a princely court, 

To whom, °though more than kindred knew, 58 

Young Ellen gave a mother's due. 



Canto I.] THE CHASE 21 

Meet welcome to her guest she made, 

And every courteous rite was paid 

That hospitality could claim, 

Though all unasked his birth and name. 

Such then the reverence to a guest, 

That °fellest foe might join the feast, 

And from his deadliest foeman's door 

Unquestioned turn, the banquet o'er. 

At length his rank the stranger names, 590 

"The Knight of °Snowdoun, James Fitz-James ; 

Lord of a barren heritage, 

Which his brave sires, from age to age, 

By their good swords had held with toil ; 

His sire had fallen in such turmoil, 

And he, God °wot, was forced to stand 

Oft for his right with blade in hand. 

This morning with Lord Moray's train 

He chased a stalwart stag in vain, 

Outstripped his comrades, missed the deer, 600 

Lost his good steed, and wandered here." 



XXX 

Fain would the Knight in turn °require 

The name and state of Ellen's sire. 

Well showed the elder lady's mien 

That courts and cities she had seen ; 

Ellen, though more her looks displayed 

The simple grace of sylvan maid, 

In speech and gesture, form and face, 

Showed she was come of gentle race. 

'Twere strange in ruder rank to rind 610 

Such looks, such manners, and such mind. 

Each hint the Knight of Snowdoun gave, 



22 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto I. 

Dame Margaret heard with silence grave ; 

Or Ellen, innocently gay. 

Turned all inquiry light away : — 

° " Weird women we ! by dale and down 

We dwell, afar from tower and town. 

We stem the flood, we ride the blast, 

On wandering knights our spells we cast ; 

While viewless minstrels touch the string, 620 

'Tis thus our charmed rhymes we sing." 

She sung, and still a °harp unseen 

Filled up the symphony between. 



XXXI 
SONG 

°" Soldier, rest ! thy warfare o'er, 

Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking ; 
Dream of battle fields no more, 

Days of danger, nights of waking. 
In our isle's enchanted hall, 

Hands unseen thy couch are strewing, 
Fairy strains of music fall. 630 

Every sense in slumber °dewing. 
Soldier, rest ! thy warfare o'er, 
Dream of fighting fields no more ; 
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking, 
Morn of toil, nor night of waking. 

u So rude sound shall reach thine ear, 
Armor's clang or war-steed champing, 

Trump nor °pibroch summon here 
Mustering clan or squadron tramping. 

Yet the lark's shrill fife may come 640 



Canto I.] THE CHASE 23 

At the daybreak from the fallow, 
And the °bittern sound his drum, 

Booming from the sedgy shallow. 
Ruder sounds shall none be near, 
Guards nor warders challenge here, 
Here's no war-steed's neigh and champing, 
Shouting clans or squadrons stamping." 

XXXII 

She paused, — then, blushing, led the lay, 

To grace the stranger of the day. 

Her mellow notes awhile prolong 650 

The °cadence of the flowing song, 

Till to her lips in measured frame 

The minstrel verse spontaneous came. 

SONG CONTINUED 

" Huntsman, rest ! thy chase is done ; 

While our slumbrous °spells assail ye, 
Dream not, with the rising sun, 

Bugles here shall sound reveille. 
Sleep ! the deer is in his den ; 

Sleep ! thy hounds are by thee lying ; 
Sleep ! nor dream in yonder glen 660 

How thy gallant steed lay dying. 
Huntsman, rest ! thy chase is done ; 
Think not of the rising sun, 
For at dawning to assail ye 
Here no bugles sound reveille. " 

XXXIII 

The hall was cleared, — the stranger's bed, 
Was there of mountain heather spread, 



24 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto I. 

Where oft a hundred guests had lain, 

And °dreamed their forest sports again. 

But vainly did the heath-flower shed 670 

Its moorland fragrance round his head; 

Not Ellen's spell had lulled to rest 

The fever of his troubled breast. 

°In broken dreams the image rose 

Of varied perils, pains, and woes : 

His steed now flounders in the brake, 

Now sinks his barge upon the lake ; 

Now leader of a broken host, 

His standard falls, his honor's lost. 

Then, — from my couch may heavenly might 680 

Chase that worst phantom of the night ! — 

Again returned the scenes of youth, 

Of confident, undoubting truth ; 

Again his soul he interchanged 

With friends whose hearts were long estranged. 

They come, in dim procession led, 

The cold, the faithless, and the dead ; 

As warm each hand, each brow as gay, 

As if they parted yesterday. 

And doubt distracts him at the view r , — 690 

O were his senses false or true ? 

Dreamed he of death or broken vow, 

Or is it all a vision now ? 

• 

XXXIV 

At length, with Ellen in a grove 
He seemed to walk and speak of love ; 
She listened with a blush and sigh, 
His suit was warm, his hopes were high. 
He sought her yielded hand to clasp, 



Canto I.] THE CHASE 25 

And a cold gauntlet met his grasp : 

The phantom's sex was changed and gone, 700 

Upon its head a helmet shone ; 

Slowly enlarged to giant size, 

With darkened cheek and threatening eyes, 

The °grisly visage, stern and hoar, 

To Ellen still a likeness bore. — 

He woke, and, panting with affright, 

Recalled the vision of the night. 

The hearth's decaying brands were red, 

And deep and dusky lustre shed, 

Half showing, half concealing, all 710 

The uncouth trophies of the hall. 

Mid those the stranger fixed his eye 

Where that huge falchion hung on high, 

And thoughts on thoughts, a countless throng, 

Rushed, chasing countless thoughts along, 

Until, the giddy whirl to cure, 

He rose and sought the moonshine pure. 

XXXV 

The wild rose, eglantine, and broom 

Wasted around their rich perfume ; 

The birch-trees wept in fragrant balm ; 720 

The °aspens slept beneath the calm ; 

The silver light, with quivering glance, 

Played on the water's still expanse, — 

Wild were the heart whose passion's sway 

Could rage beneath the sober ray ! 

He felt its calm, that warrior guest, 

While thus he communed with his breast : — 

" Why is it, at each turn I trace 

Some memory of that exiled race ? 



THE LAI'Y OF THE LAKE [Cajtto I 

in I not mountain maiden si v. — 

Bnt she must bear the °Douglas eye ? 
Can I not view a Highland °brand. 
But it must match the Douglas hand ? 
Can I not frame a fevered dream, 
But still the Douglas is the the: 
1*11 dream no more. — by manly mind 
N : : even in sleep is will resigned. 
My midnight orisons said c : 
Fll turn to rest, and dream no more." 
His midnight °orisons he told, -_: 

A prayer with every bead of gold, 
Consigned to heaven his cares and woe-. 
And sunk in undisturbed repose, 
Until the heath-eoek shrilly erew, 
And °morning dawned on Benvenue. 



CANTO SECOND 

THE ISLAND 



At morn the black-cock trims his jetty wing, 

'Tis morning prompts the linnet's blithest lay, 
All Nature's children feel the matin spring 

Of life reviving, with reviving day ; 
And while yon little bark glides down the bay, 

Wafting the stranger on his way again, 
Morn's genial influence roused a °minstrel gray, 

And sweetly o'er the lake was heard thy strain, 
°Mixed with the sounding harp, white-haired Allan- 
bane ! 

ii 

SONG 

°"Not faster yonder rowers' might l0 

Flings from their oars the spray, 
Not faster yonder rippling bright, 
That tracks the shallop's course in light, 

Melts in the lake away, 
Than men from memory erase 
The benefits of former days ; 
Then, stranger, go ! good speed the while, 
Nor think again of the lonely isle. 
27 



28 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto II. 

u High place to thee in royal court, 

High place in °battled line, 20 

Good hawk and hound for sylvan sport ! 
Where beauty sees the brave resort, 

The honored meed be thine ! 
True be thy sword, thy friend sincere, 
Thy lady constant, kind, and dear, 
And lost in love's and friendship's smile 
Be memory of the lonely isle ! 



in 

SONG CONTINUED 

" But if beneath yon southern sky 

A plaided stranger roam, 
Whose drooping °crest and stifled sigh, 30 

And sunken cheek and heavy eye, 

Pine for his Highland home ; 
Then, warrior, then be thine to show 
The care that soothes a wanderer's woe ; 
Remember then thy °hap °erewhile, 
A stranger in the lonely isle. 

" Or if on life's uncertain main 

Mishap shall mar thy sail ; 
If faithful, wise, and brave in vain, 
Woe, want, and exile thou sustain 40 

Beneath the fickle gale ; 
Waste not a sigh on fortune changed, 
On thankless courts, or friends estranged, 
But come where kindred worth shall smile, 
To greet thee in the lonely isle." 



Canto II.] THE ISLAND 29 



IV 

As died the sounds upon the tide, 

The shallop reached the mainland side, 

And ere his onward way he took, 

The stranger cast a lingering look, 

Where easily his eye might reach 50 

The Harper on the islet beach, 

°E,eclined against a blighted tree, 

As wasted, gray, and worn as he. 

To minstrel meditation given, 

His °reverend brow was raised to heaven, 

°As from the rising sun to claim 

A sparkle of inspiring flame. 

His hand, reclined upon the wire, 

Seemed watching the awakening fire •, 

So still he sat as those who wait 60 

Till judgment speak the doom of fate ; 

So still, as if no breeze might dare 

To lift one lock of hoary hair ; 

So still, °as life itself were fled 

In the last sound his harp had sped. 



Upon a rock with lichens wild, 

Beside him Ellen sat and smiled. — 

Smiled she to see the stately drake 

Lead forth his fleet upon the lake, 

While her vexed spaniel from the beach 70 

Bayed at the prize beyond his reach ? 

Yet tell me, then, the maid who knows, 

Why deepened on her cheek the rose ? — 

Forgive, forgive, Fidelity! 



30 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto II. 

Perchance the maiden smiled to see 

Yon parting lingerer wave adieu, 

And stop and turn to wave anew ; 

And, lovely ladies, ere your ire 

Condemn the heroine of °my lyre, 

Show me the °fair would scorn to spy So 

And prize such conquest of her eye ! 



VI 

While yet he loitered on the spot, 

It seemed as Ellen marked him not ; 

But when he turned him to the glade, 

One courteous parting sign she made; 

And after, oft the knight would say, 

That not when °prize of festal day 

Was dealt Mm by the brightest fair 

Who e'er wore jewel in her hair, 

So highly did his bosom swell 90 

As at that simple mute farewell. 

Now with a trusty mountain-guide, 

And his dark stag-hounds by his side, 

He °parts, — the maid, unconscious still, 

Watched him wind slowly round the hill; 

But when his stately form was hid, 

The guardian in her bosom chid, — 

" Thy Malcolm ! vain and selfish maid ! " 

'Twas thus upbraiding conscience said, — 

"Not so had Malcolm idly hung 100 

On the smooth phrase of Southern tongue ; 

Not so had Malcolm strained his eye 

Another step than thine to spy." — 

u Wake, Allan-bane,"' aloud she cried 

To the old minstrel by her side, — 



Canto II.] THE ISLAND 31 

" Arouse thee from thy moody dream ! 

I'll give thy harp heroic theme, 

And warm thee with a noble name ; 

Pour forth the glory of the Graeme ! " 

Scarce from her lip the word had rushed, no 

When deep the conscious maiden blushed ; 

For of his clan, in hall and bower, 

Young Malcolm Graeme was held the flower. 

VII 

The minstrel waked his harp, — three times 

Arose the well-known °martial chimes, 

And thrice their high heroic pride 

In melancholy murmurs died. 

" Vainly thou bidst, noble maid/' 

Clasping his withered hands, he said, 

" Vainly thou bidst me wake the strain, 120 

Though all °unwont to bid in vain. 

Alas ! than mine a mightier hand 

Has tuned my harp, my strings has spanned ! 

I touch the chords of joy, but low 

And mournful answer notes of woe ; 

And the proud march which victors tread 

Sinks in the wailing for the dead. 

O, well for me, if mine alone 

That dirge's deep prophetic tone ! 

If, as my °tuneful fathers said, 130 

This harp, which °erst °Saint Modan swayed, 

Can thus its master's fate foretell, 

Then welcome be the minstrel's knell ! 

VIII 

" But ah ! dear lady, thus it sighed, 
The eve thy sainted mother died ; 



32 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto II. 

And such the sounds which, while I strove 

To wake a lay of war or love, 

Came marring all the festal mirth, 

Appalling me who gave them birth, 

And, disobedient to my call, 140 

Wailed loud through °Bothwell's bannered hall, 

°Ere Douglases, to ruin driven, 

Were exiled from their native heaven. — 

! if yet worse mishap and woe 

My' master's house must undergo, 

Or aught but weal to Ellen fair 

Brood in these accents of despair, 

No future bard, sad Harp ! shall fling 

Triumph or rapture from thy string ; 

One short, one final strain shall flow, 150 

Fraught with unutterable woe, 

Then shivered shall thy fragments lie, 

Thy master cast him down and die ! " 

IX 

Soothing she answered him : " Assuage, 

Mine honored friend, the fears of age ; 

All melodies to thee are known 

That harp has rung or pipe has blown, 

In Lowland vale or Highland glen, 

From °Tweed to Spey — what marvel, then, 

At times unbidden notes should rise, 160 

Confusedly bound in memory's ties, 

Entangling, as they rush along, 

The war-march with the funeral song ? — 

Small ground is now for boding fear ; 

Obscure, but safe, we rest us here. 

My sire, in native virtue great, 



Canto II.] THE ISLAND 33 

Resigning lordship, lands, and state, 

Not then to fortune more resigned 

Than yonder oak might give the wind ; 

The graceful °foliage storms may °reave, 170 

The noble °stem they cannot grieve. 

For me " — she stooped, and, looking round, 

Plucked a blue harebell from the ground, — 

" For me, whose memory scarce conveys 

An image of more splendid days, 

This little flower that loves the lea 

May well my simple emblem be ; 

It drinks heaven's dew as blithe as rose 

That in the King's own garden grows ; 

And when I place it in my hair, 180 

Allan, a bard is bound to swear 

He ne'er saw coronet so fair." 

Then playfully the chaplet wild 

She wreathed in her dark locks, and smiled. 



Her smile, her speech, with winning sway, 

Wiled the old Harper's mood away. 

With such a look as hermits throw, 

When angels stoop to soothe their woe, 

He gazed, till fond regret and pride 

Thrilled to a tear, then thus replied : 190 

" Loveliest and best ! thou little know'st 

The rank, the honors, thou hast lost ! 

0, might I live to see thee grace, 

In Scotland's court, thy birthright place, 

To see my favorite's step advance 

The lightest in the courtly dance, 

The cause of every gallant's sigh, 



34 THE LADY OF THE LAKE vr II 

And leading star of every ej 

And theme of every minstrel's art. 

The Lady of the °Bleeding Hea: 200 

XI 

" Fair dreams are these," the maiden cried. — 

Light was her accent. jret she sighed, — 

•• Yet is this mossy rock to me 

Worth splendid chair and canopy ; 

Nor would my footstep spring more gay 

In courtly dance than blithe °strathspe; 

Noi half so pleased mine ear incline 

To royal minstrel's lay as thine. 

And then for suitors proud and high, 

To bend before my conquering eye, — 210 

Thou, flattering bard ! thyself wilt say, 

That grim Sir Roderick owns its 

The Saxon scourge, Clan- Alpine's pride, 

The terror of °Loch Lomond's side, 

Would, at my suit, thou know'st, delay 

A °Lennox foray — for a day." — 

XII 

The ancient bard her glee repressed : 
u 111 hast thou chosen theme for jest 
Tor who, through all this western wild, 
Named "Black Sir Eoderick e'er, and smile 

In °Holy-Rood a knight he sic 

I saw. when back the dirk he d: 

Courtiers give place before the stride 

Of the undaunted homicic;- 

And since, though outlawed, hath his hand 

Fall sternly kept his mountain land. 






Canto II.] THE ISLAND 35 

Who else dared give — ah ! woe the day, 

That I such hated truth should say ! — 

The Douglas, like a stricken deer, 

Disowned by every noble peer, 230 

Even the rude refuge we have here ? 

Alas, this wild marauding Chief 

Alone might hazard our relief, 

And now thy maiden charms expand, 

Looks for his °guerdon in thy hand ; 

Full soon may dispensation sought, 

To back his suit, from Rome be brought. 

Then, though an exile on the hill, 

Thy father, as the Douglas, still 

Be held in reverence and fear ; 240 

And though to Roderick thou'rt so dear 

°That thou might st guide with silken thread, 

Slave of thy will, this chieftain dread, 

Yet, loved maid, thy mirth refrain ! 

Thy hand is on a lion's mane." — ^ 



XIII 

" Minstrel," the maid replied, and high 

Her father's soul glanced from her eye, 

" My debts to Roderick's house I know : 

All that a mother could bestow 

To Lady Margaret's care I owe, 250 

Since first an orphan in the wild 

She sorrowed o'er her sister's child ; 

To her brave chieftain son, from ire 

Of Scotland's king who °shrouds my sire, 

A deeper, holier debt is owed ; 

And, could I pay it with my blood, 

Allan ! Sir Roderick should command 



36 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto II. 

My blood, my life, — but not my hand. 

Kather will Ellen Douglas dwell 

A °votaress in °Maronnan's cell ; 260 

Rather through realms beyond the sea, 

Seeking the world's cold charity, 

Where ne'er was spoke a Scottish word, 

And ne'er the name of Douglas heard, 

An outcast pilgrim will she rove, 

Than wed the man she cannot love. 



XIV 

" Thou shak'st, good friend, thy tresses gray, — 

That pleading look, what can it say 

But what I own ? — I grant him brave, 

But wild as °Bracklinn's thundering wave ; 270 

And generous, — °save vindictive mood 

Or jealous transport chafe his blood : 

I grant him true to friendly band, 

As his °claymore is to his hand ; 

But ! that very blade of steel 

More mercy for a foe would feel : 

I grant him liberal, to fling 

Among his clan the wealth they bring, 

When back by lake and glen they wind, 

And in the Lowland leave behind, 280 

Where once some pleasant hamlet stood, 

A mass of ashes slaked with blood. 

The hand that for my father fought 

I honor, as his daughter ought ; 

But can I clasp it reeking red 

From peasants slaughtered in their shed ? 

°No ! wildly while his virtues gleam, 

They make his passions darker seem, 



Canto II.] THE ISLAND 37 

And flash along his spirit high, 

Like lightning o'er the midnight sky. * 290 

While yet a child, — and children know, 

Instinctive taught, the friend and foe, — 

I shuddered at his brow of gloom, 

His °shadowy plaid and sable plume ; 

A maiden grown, I ill could bear 

His haughty mien and lordly air : 

But, if thou join'st a suitor's claim, 

In serious mood, to Roderick's name, 

I thrill with anguish ! or, if e'er 

A Douglas knew the word, with fear. 300 

To change such odious theme were best, — 

What think'st thou of our stranger guest ? " — 



XV 

" What think I of him ? — woe the while 

That brought such wanderer to our isle ! 

Thy father's battle-brand, of yore 

For °Tine-man forged by fairy lore, 

°What time he leagued, no longer foes, 

His ° Border spears with °Hotspur's bows, 

Did, °self-unscabbarded, foreshow 

The footstep of a secret foe. 310 

If courtly spy hath harbored here, 

What may we for the Douglas fear ? 

What for this island, deemed of old 

Clan- Alpine's last and surest hold ? 

If neither spy nor foe, I pray 

What yet may jealous Roderick say? — 

Nay, wave not thy disdainful head ! 

Bethink thee of the discord dread 

That kindled when at ° Beltane game 



38 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto II. 

Thou ledst the dance with Malcolm Graeme; 320 

Still; though thy sire the peace renewed, 

Smoulders in Roderick's breast the feud : 

Beware ! — But hark ! what sounds are these ? 

My dull ears catch no faltering breeze, 

No weeping birch nor aspens wake, 

Nor breath is dimpling in the lake ; 

Still is the canna's hoary beard, 

Yet, by my minstrel faith, I heard — 

And hark again ! some pipe of war 

Sends the bold pibroch from afar." 330 



XVI 

°Far up the lengthened lake were spied 

Four darkening specks upon the tide, 

That, slow enlarging on the view, 

Four manned and masted barges grew, 

And, bearing downwards from °Glengyle, 

Steered full upon the lonely isle ; 

The point of Brianchoil they passed, 

And, to the windward as they cast, 

Against the sun they gave to shine 

The bold Sir Roderick's °bannered Pine. 340 

Nearer and nearer as they bear, 

Spears, pikes, and axes flash in air. 

Now might you see the tartans brave, 

And plaids arid plumage dance and wave: 

Now see the bonnets sink and rise, 

As his tough oar the rower plies ; 

See, flashing at each sturdy stroke, 

The wave ascending into smoke; 

See the proud pipers on the bow, 

And mark the gaudy streamers flow 350 



Canto II.] THE ISLAND 39 

From their loud chanters down, and sweep 
The furrowed bosom of the deep, 
As, rushing through the lake amain, 
They plied the ancient Highland strain. 



XVII 

Ever, as on they bore, more loud 

And louder rung the pibroch proud. 

At first the sounds, by distance tame, 

Mellowed along the waters came, 

And, lingering long by cape and bay, 

°Wailed every harsher note away, 360 

Then bursting bolder on the ear, 

The clan's shrill Gathering they could hear, 

Those thrilling sounds that call the might 

Of old Clan-Alpine to the fight. 

Thick beat the rapid notes, as when 

The mustering hundreds shake the glen, 

And hurrying at the signal dread, 

The °battered earth returns their tread. 

Then prelude light, of livelier tone, 

Expressed their merry marching on, 370 

Ere peal of closing battle rose, 

With mingled outcry, shrieks, and blows ; 

And mimic din of stroke and ward, 

As broadsword upon target jarred; 

And groaning pause, ere yet again, 

Condensed, the battle yelled amain : 

The rapid charge, the rallying shout, 

Retreat borne headlong into rout, 

And bursts of triumph, to declare 

Clan-Alpine's conquest — all were there. 380 

Nor ended thus the strain, but slow 



40 THE LAD Y OF THE LAKE [Canto II. 

Sunk in a moan prolonged and low, 

And changed the conquering clarion swell 

For wild lament o'er those that fell. 

XVIII 

The war-pipes ceased, but lake and hill 

Were busy with their echoes still ; 

And, when they slept, a vocal strain 

Bade their hoarse chorus wake again, 

While loud a hundred clansmen raise 

Their voices in their Chieftain's praise. 390 

Each boatman, bending to his oar, 

With measured sweep the °burden bore, 

In such wild cadence as the breeze 

Makes through December's leafless trees. 

The chorus first could Allan know, 

" Roderick Vich Alpine, ho ! iro ! " 

And near, and nearer as they rowed, 

Distinct the martial ditty flowed, r 

XIX 
BOAT SONG 

Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances ! 

Honored and blessed be the ever-green Pine ! 400 

Long may the tree, in his banner that glances, 
Flourish, the shelter and grace of our line ! 

Heaven send it happy dew, 

Earth lend it sap anew, 
Gayly to °bourgeon and broadly to grow, 

While every Highland glen 

Sends our shout back again, 
°" Roderigh Vich Alpine dim, ho ! ieroe ! " 



Canto II.] THE ISLAND 41 

Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the fountain, 

Blooming at Beltane, in winter to fade ; 410 

When the whirlwind has stripped every leaf on the moun- 
tain, 
The more shall Clan-Alpine exult in her shade. 
Moored in the rifted rock, 
Proof to the tempest's shock, 
Firmer he roots him the ruder it blow ; 
°Menteith and °Breadalbane, then, 
Echo his praise again, 
" Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho ! ieroe ! " 

xx 

Proudly our pibroch has thrilled in °Glen Fruin, 

And Bannochar's groans to our °slogan replied ; 420 

°Glen Luss and Ross-dhu, they are smoking in ruin, 
And the best of Loch Lomond lie dead on her side. 

Widow and °Saxon maid 

Long shall lament our raid, 
Think of Clan-Alpine with fear and with woe : 

Lennox and °Leven-glen 

Shake when they hear again, 
" Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho ! ieroe ! " 

Row, vassals, row, for the pride of the Highlands ! 

Stretch to your oars for the ever-green Pine ! 430 

O that the °rosebud that graces yon islands 

Were wreathed in a garland around him to twine ! 

that some seedling gem, 

Worthy such noble stem, 
Honored and blessed in their shadow might grow ! 

Loud should Clan-Alpine then 

Ring from her deepmost glen, 
" Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho ! ieroe ! " 



42 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Ci>: 



TXT 

With all her joyful female hand 

Had Lady Margaret sought the strand. 440 

Loose on the breeze their tresses flew, 

And high their snowy arm3 they threw, 

As echoing back with shrill acclaim, 

And chorus wjlcL the Chieftain's name : 

While, prompt to please, with mother s art, 

The darling passion of his heart. 

The Dame called Ellen to the strand, 

T ^Teet her kinsman ere he land : 

" Come, loiterer, come ! a Douglas thou, 

And shun to wreathe a victor's brow 45 o 

Reluctantly and slow, the maid 

The unwelcome summoning obeyed, 

And when a distant bugle rung, 

In the mid-path aside she sprung : — 

u List, Allan-bane ! From mainland cast 

I hear my father's signal blast. 

Be ours/' she cried, u the skiff to guide, 

And waft him from the mountain-side. " 

Then, like a sunbeam, swift and bright, 

She darted to her shallop light, 460 

And, eagerly while Roderick scanned, 

For her dear form, his mother's band, 

The islet far behind her lay, 

And she had landed in the bay. 

XXII 

°Some feelings are to mortals given 
With less of earth in them than heaven ; 
And if there be a human tear 



Canto II.] THE ISLAND 43 

From passion's dross refined and clear, 

A tear so limpid and so meek 

It would not stain an angel's cheek, 470 

"lis that which pious fathers shed 

Upon a duteous daughter's head ! 

And as the Douglas to his breast 

His darling Ellen closely pressed, 

Such holy drops her tresses steeped, 

Though 'twas an hero's eye that °weeped. 

Nor while on Ellen's faltering tongue 

Her filial welcomes crowded hung, 

Marked she that fear — affection's proof — 

Still held a graceful youth aloof ; 480 

No ! not till Douglas named his name, 

Although the youth was Malcolm Graeme. 

XXIII 

Allan, with wistful look the while, 

Marked Roderick landing on the isle ; 

His master piteously he eyed, 

Then gazed upon the Chieftain's pride, 

Then dashed with hasty hand away 

From his dimmed eye the gathering spray ; 

And Douglas, as his hand he laid 

On Malcolm's shoulder, kindly said: 490 

" Canst thou, young friend, no meaning spy 

In my poor follower's glistening eye ? 

I'll tell thee : — he recalls the day 

When in my praise he led the lay 

O'er the arched gate of Bothwell proud, 

While many a minstrel answered loud, 

When °Percy's Norman pennon, won 

In bloody field, before me shone, 



44 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Ca^to H. 

And twice ten knights, the least a name 

As mighty as yon Chief may claim, 500 

Gracing my pomp, behind me came. 

Yet trust me, Malcolm, not so proud 

Was I of all that marshalled cro 

Though the °waned crescent owned my might. 

And in my train trooped lord and knight, 

Though °Blantyre hymned her holiest la 

And Bothwell's bards flung back my praise, 

As when this old man's silent tear, 

And this poor maid's affection dear, 

A welcome give more kind and true 510 

Than aught my better fortunes knew. 

Forgive, my friend, a father's boast. — 

O, it °out-beggars all I lost ! " 

XXIV 

Delightful praise! — like summer r 

That brighter in the dew-drop glows, 

The bashful maiden's cheek appeared, 

For Dov^kas spoke. a::k Malcolm heard. 

The flush of shame-faced joy to hide, 

The hounds, the hawk, her cares divide ; 

The loved c of the maid 520 

The dogs with crouch and whimper paid ; 

And, at her whistle, on her hancl 

The falcon took his favorit- 

Closed his dark wing, relaxed his eye, . 

IS or. though °unhooded, sought to fly. 

And. trust, while in such guise she stood, 

Like fabled °Goddess of the wood, 

That if a father's partial thought 

(Fei -ighed her worth and beauty aught, 



Canto II.] THE ISLAND 45 

Well might the lover's judgment fail 530 

To balance with a juster scale ; 

For with each secret glance he stole, 

The fond enthusiast sent his soul. 



XXV 

°Of stature fair, and slender frame, 

But firmly knit, was Malcolm Graeme. 

The belted plaid and tartan hose 

Did ne'er more graceful limbs disclose ; 

His flaxen hair, of sunny hue, 

Curled closely round his bonnet blue. 

Trained to the chase, his eagle eye 540 

The ptarmigan in snow could spy ; 

Each pass, by mountain, lake, and heath, 

He knew, through Lennox and Menteith ; 

Vain was the bound of dark-brown doe 

When Malcolm bent his sounding bow, 

And scarce that doe, though winged with fear, 

Outstripped in speed the mountaineer: 

Eight up Ben Lomond could he press, 

And not a °sob his toil confess. 

His form accorded with a mind 550 

Lively and ardent, °frank and kind ; 

A blither heart, till Ellen came, 

Did never love nor sorrow tame ; 

It danced as lightsome in his breast 

As played the feather on his crest. 

Yet friends, who nearest knew the youth, 

His scorn of wrong, his zeal for truth, 

And bards, who saw his features bold 

When kindled by the tales of old, 

Said, were that youth to manhood growli, $60 



46 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto II. 

Not long should Eoderick Dhivs renown 
Be foremost voiced by mountain fame, 
But quail to that of Malcolm Graeme. 

XXVI 

Now back they wend their watery way, 

And, " my sire ! " did Ellen say, 

'• Why urge thy chase so far astray ? 

And why so late returned ? And why " — 

The rest was in her speaking eye. 

" My child, the chase I follow far, 

? Tis mimicry of noble war; 570 

And with that gallant pastime reft 

Were all of Douglas I have left. 

I met young Malcolm as I strayed 

Far eastward, in °Glenfmlas' shade ; 

Nor strayed I safe, for all around 

Hunters and horsemen scoured the ground. 

This youth, though still a °royal ward, 

Bisked life and land to be my guard, 

And through the passes of the wood 

Guided my steps, not unpursued ; 5S0 

And Eoderick shall his welcome make, 

Despite old spleen, for Douglas' sake. 

Then must he seek °Strath-Endrick glen, 

Nor peril aught for me again." 

XXVII 

Sir Eoderick, who to meet them came, 
Eeddened at sight of Malcolm Graeme, 
Yet, not in action, word, or eye, 
Failed aught in hospitality. 
In talk and sport they whiled away 



Canto II.] THE ISLAND 47 

The morning of that summer day; 590 

But at high noon a courier light 

Held secret parley with the knight, 

Whose moody aspect soon declared 

That evil were the news he heard. 

Deep thought seemed toiling in his head ; 

Yet was the evening banquet made 

Ere he assembled round the flame 

His mother, Douglas, and the Graeme, 

And Ellen too ; then cast around 

His eyes, then fixed them on the ground, 600 

As studying phrase that might avail 

Best to convey unpleasant tale. 

Long with his dagger's hilt he played, 

Then raised his haughty brow, and said : — 

XXVIII 

" Short be my speech ; — nor time affords, 

Nor my plain temper, °glozing words. 

Kinsman and father, — if such name 

Douglas vouchsafe to Roderick's claim ; 

Mine honored mother ; — Ellen, — why, 

My cousin, turn away thine eye ? — 610 

And Graeme, in whom I hope to know 

Full soon a noble friend or foe, 

When age shall give thee thy command, 

And leading in thy native land, — 

List all ! — The King's Vindictive pride 

Boasts to have tamed the Border-side, 

Where chiefs, with hound and hawk who came 

To share their monarch's sylvan game, 

Themselves in bloody toils were snared, 

And when the banquet they prepared, 620 



48 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto II. 

And wide their loyal portals flung. 

O'er their own gateway struggling hung. 

Loud cries their blood from °Meggat's mead, 

From Yarrow braes and banks of Tweed, 

Where the lone streams of Ettrick glide, 

And from the silver Teviot's side ; 

The dales, where martial clans did ride, 

Are now one sheep-walk, waste and wide. 

This tyrant of the Scottish throne, 

So faithless and so ruthless known, 630 

Now hither comes ; his end the same, 

The same pretext of sylvan game. 

What grace for Highland Chiefs, judge ye 

By °fate of Border chivalry. 

Yet more ; amid Glenfinlas' green, 

Douglas, thy stately form was seen. 

This by °espial sure I know : 

Your counsel in the °streight I show." 

XXIX 

Ellen and Margaret fearfully 

Sought comfort in each other's eye, 640 

Then turned their ghastly look, each one, 

This to her sire, that to her son. 

The hasty color went and came 

In the bold cheek of Malcolm Graeme, 

But from his glance it well appeared 

'Twas but for Ellen that he feared ; 

While, sorrowful, but undismayed, 

The Douglas thus his counsel said : 

" Brave Roderick, though the tempest roar, 

It may but thunder and pass o'er ; 650 

Nor will I here remain an hour, 



Canto II.]] THE ISLAND 49 

To draw the lightning on thy bower ; 

For well thou know'st, at this gray head 

The royal bolt were fiercest sped. 

For thee, who, at thy King's command, 

Canst aid him with a gallant band, 

Submission, homage, humbled pride, 

Shall turn the Monarch's wrath aside. 

Poor remnants of the °Bleeding Heart, 

Ellen and I will seek apart 660 

The refuge of some forest cell, 

There, like the hunted quarry, dwell, 

Till on the mountain and the moor 

The stern pursuit be passed and o'er." — 



XXX 

" No, by mine honor," Eoderick said, 

" So help me Heaven, and my good blade ! 

No, never ! Blasted be yon Pine, 

My father's ancient crest and mine, 

If from its shade in danger part 

The lineage of the Bleeding Heart ! 670 

Hear my blunt speech : grant me this maid 

To wife, thy counsel to mine aid ; 

To Douglas, leagued with Roderick Dim, 

Will friends and allies flock enow :.--~ 

Like cause of doubt, distrust, and^rief, 

Will bind to us each Western Chief. 

When the loud pipes my bridal tell, 

The °Links of Forth shall hear the knell, 

The guards shall start in Stirling's °porch ; 

And when I light the nuptial torch, 6S0 

A thousand villages in flames 

Shall scare the slumbers of King James ! — 



90 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Gun D 

Xay. Ellen, blench not thus away. 
And, mother, cease these signs, I pray ; 
I meant not all my heat might say. — 
Small need of inroad or of fight- 
When the sage Douglas may unite 
Each mountain clan in friendlv band, 
To guard the passes of their land, 
"Till the foiled King from pathless glen 
S1.C1 ;;o::lc55 rim li:_ L:ne :-.z\ii.." 



TTTT 

c There are who have, at midnight hour, 
In slumber scaled a dizzy tower. 
And, on the verge that "beetled o ? er 
The ocean tide's incessant roar, 
Dreamed calmly out their dangerous dream, 
Till wakened by the morning beam ; 
When, dazzled by the eastern glow, 
Such startler cast his glance below, 
And saw unmeasured depth around, 
And heard unintermitted sound, 
And thought the °battled fence so trail, 
It waved like cobweb in the gale : — 
Amid his senses' giddy wheel. 
Did he not desperate impulse feel, 
Headlong to plunge himself below, 
And meet the worst his fears foreshow ? — 
Thus Ellen, dizzy and "astound, 
As sudden ruin yawned around, 
By crossing terrors wildly tossed, 710 

Still for the Douglas fearing most, 
Could scarce the desperate thought withstand, 
buy his safety with her hand. 



Canto II.] THE ISLAND 51 



XXXII 



Such purpose dread could Malcolm spy 

In Ellen's quivering lip and eye, 

And eager rose to speak, — but ere 

His tongue could hurry forth his fear, 

Had Douglas marked the °hectic strife, 

Where death seemed combating with life ; 

For to her cheek, in feverish flood, 720 

One instant rushed the throbbing blood, 

Then ebbing back, with sudden sway, 

Left its domain as wan as clay. 

" Roderick, enough ! enough ! " he cried, 

" My daughter cannot be thy bride ; 

Not that the blush to wooer dear, 

Nor paleness that of maiden fear. 

It may not be, — forgive her, Chief, 

Nor hazard aught for our relief. 

Against his sovereign, Douglas ne'er 730 

Will °level a rebellious spear. 

0? Twas I that taught his youthful hand 

To rein a steed and wield a brand ; 

I see him yet, the princely boy ! 

Not Ellen more my pride and joy ; 

I love him still, despite my wrongs 

By hasty wrath and slanderous tongues. 

0, seek the grace you well may find, 

Without a cause to mine combined ! " 



XXXIII 



Twice through the hall the Chieftain strode ; 740 

The waving of his tartans broad, 

And darkened brow, where wounded pride 



52 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto II. 

With ire and disappointment vied, 

Seemed, by the torch's gloomy light, 

Like the ill Demon of the night, 

Stooping his pinions* shadowy sway 

Upon the °nighted pilgrim's way : 

But, unrequited Love ! thy dart 

Plunged deepest its envenomed smart, 

And Eoderick, with thine anguish stung, 750 

At length the hand of Douglas wrung, 

While eyes that mocked at tears before 

With bitter drops were running o'er. 

The death-pangs of long-cherished hope 

Scarce in that ample breast had scope, 

But, struggling with his spirit proud, 

Convulsive heaved its Checkered shroud, 

While every sob — so mute were all — 

Was heard distinctly through the hall. 

The son's despair, the mother's look, 760 

111 might the gentle Ellen brook ; 

She rose, and to her side there came, 

To aid her parting steps, the Graeme. 

xxxiv 

Then Eoderick from the Douglas broke — 

As flashes flame through sable smoke, 

Kindling its wreaths, long, dark, and low, 

To one broad blaze of ruddy glow, 

So the deep anguish of despair 

Burst, in fierce jealousy, to air. 

With stalwart grasp his hand he laid 770 

On Malcolm's breast and belted plaid : 

" Back, beardless boy ! " he sternly said, 

" Back, °minion ! holdst thou thus at naught 



Canto II.] THE ISLAND 53 

The lesson I so lately taught ? 

This roof, the Douglas, and that maid, 

Thank thou for punishment delayed." 

Eager as greyhound on his game, 

Fiercely with Eoderick grappled Graeme. 

" Perish my name, if aught afford 

Its Chieftain safety save his sword ! " 780 

Thus as they strove their desperate hand 

Griped to the dagger or the brand, 

And death had been — but Douglas rose, 

And thrust between the struggling foes 

His giant strength : — " Chieftains, forego ! 

I hold the first who strikes my foe. — 

Madmen, forbear your frantic jar ! 

What ! is the Douglas fallen so far, 

His daughter's hand is deemed the spoil 

Of such dishonorable broil ? " 79 o 

Sullen and slowly they unclasp, 

As struck with shame, their desperate grasp, 

And each upon his rival glared, 

With foot advanced and blade half bared. 



XXXV 

Ere yet the brands aloft were flung, 

Margaret on Roderick's mantle hung, 

And Malcolm heard his Ellen's scream, 

As faltered through terrific dream. 

Then Eoderick plunged in sheath his sword, 

And veiled his wrath in scornful word : 800 

"Rest safe till morning; °pity 'twere 

Such cheek should feel the midnight air ! 

Then inayst thou to James Stuart tell, 

Roderick will keep the lake and fell, 



54 THE LADY OF THE LAKE -lull. 

Xor °lackey with his freeborn clan 

The pageant pomp of earthly man. 

More would he of Clan- Alpine know 

Thou canst our strength and j asses show. — 

Malise, what ho ! " — his °henchman came : 

•■ (rive our safe-conduct to the Graem lie 

Young Malcolm an- calm and bold : 

•■ Fear nothing for thy favorite hoi 

The spot an angel deigned to gra 

Is blessed, though robbers haunt the pla 

Thy churlish courtesy for those 

Reserve, who fear to be thy foes. 

As safe to me the mountain way 

At midnight as in blaze of day. 

Though with his boldest at his back 

Even Roderick Dhu beset the track. — 820 

Brave Douglas. — lovely Ellen. — nay, 

N aught here of parting will I say. 

Earth does not hold a lonesome glen 

S secret but we meet again. — 

I :ueftain ! we too shall find an hour," — 

He said, and left the sylvan bower. 

xxxvi 

Old Allan followed to the strand — 

Such was the Douglas's command — 

And anxious told, how, °on the morn, 

The stern Sir Roderick deep had sworn, 830 

The °Fiery Ch — should circle c" 

Dale, glen, and valley, down and moor. 

Much were the peril to the Graeme 

From those who to the signal came ; 

Far up the lake 'twere safest land, 



Canto II.] THE ISLAND 55 

Himself would row him to the strand. 

He gave his counsel to the wind, 

While Malcolm did, unheeding, bind, 

Round dirk and pouch and broadsword °rolled, 

His ample plaid in tightened fold, 840 

And stripped his limbs to such array 

As best might suit the watery way, — 

XXXVII 

Then spoke abrupt : " Farewell to thee, 

Pattern of old fidelity ! " 

The Minstrel's hand he kindly pressed, — 

" 0, could I °point a place of rest ! 

My sovereign holds in ward my land, 

My uncle leads my vassal band ; 

To tame his foes, his friends to aid, 

Poor Malcolm has but heart and blade. 850 

Yet, if there be one faithful Graeme 

Who loves the chieftain of his name, 

Not long shall honored Douglas dwell 

Like hunted stag in mountain cell ; 

Nor, ere yon pride-swollen robber dare, — 

I may not give the rest to air ! 

Tell Roderick Dhu I owed him naught, 

Not the poor service of a boat, 

To waft me to yon mountain-side." 

Then plunged he in the flashing tide. 860 

Bold o'er the flood his head he bore, 

And stoutly steered him from the shore ; 

And Allan strained his anxious eye, 

Far mid the lake his form to spy, 

Darkening across each puny wave, 

To which the moon her silver gave. 



56 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Caxto IL 

Fast as the cormorant could skim, 

The swimmer plied each active limb ; 

Then landing in the moonlight dell, 

Loud shouted of his weal to tell. s,-.- 

The Minstrel heard the far halloo, 

And joyful from the shore withdrew. 



CANTO THIKD 

THE GATHERING 



Time rolls his ceaseless course. The race of yore, 

Who danced our infancy upon their knee, 
And told our marvelling boyhood legends °store 

Of their strange ventures °happed by land or sea, 
How are they blotted from the things that be ! 

How few/ all weak and withered of their force, 
Wait on the verge of dark eternity, 

Like stranded wrecks, the tide returning hoarse, 
°To sweep them from our sight ! Time rolls his ceaseless 
course. 

°Yet live there still who can remember well, 10 

How, when a mountain chief his bugle blew, 
Both field and forest, dingle, cliff, and dell, 

And solitary heath, the signal knew ; 
And fast the faithful clan around him drew, 

°What time the warning note was keenly wound, 
What time aloft their kindred banner flew, 

While clamorous war-pipes yelled the °gathering sound. 
And while the °Fiery Cross glanced, like a meteor, round. 

ii 

°The Summer dawn's reflected hue 
To purple changed Loch Katrine blue ; 20 

57 



58 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto III. 

Mildly and soft the western breeze 

Jnst kissed the lake, just stirred the trees, 

And the pleased lake, like maiden coy, 

Trembled but dimpled not for joy : 

The mountain-shadows on her breast 

Were neither broken nor at rest ; 

In bright uncertainty they lie, 

Like future joys to Fancy's eye. 

The water-lily to the light 

Her °chalice reared of silver bright ; 30 

The doe awoke, and to the lawn, 

Begemmed with dew-drops, led her fawn ; 

The gray mist left the mountain-side, 

The torrent showed its glistening pride ; 

Invisible in necked sky 

The lark sent down her revelry ; 

The blackbird and the speckled thrush 

Good-morrow gave from brake and bush ; 

In answer cooed the °cushat dove 

°Her notes of peace and rest and love. 40 



in 

No thought of peace, no thought of rest, 

Assuaged the storm in Koderick's breast. 

With sheathed broadsword in his hand, 

Abrupt he paced the islet strand, 

And eyed the rising sun, and laid 

His hand on his °impatient blade. 

Beneath a rock, his °vassals' care 

Was prompt the ritual to prepare, 

With deep and deathf ul meaning fraught ; 

For such Antiquity had taught 50 

Was °preface meet, ere yet abroad 



Canto III.] THE GATHERING 59 

The Cross of Fire should take its road. 

The shrinking band stood oft aghast 

At the impatient glance he cast ; — 

Such glance the mountain eagle threw, 

As, from the cliffs of Ben venue, 

She spread her dark °sails on the wind, 

And, high in middle heaven reclined, 

With her broad shadow on the lake, 

Silenced the warblers of the brake. 60 



IV 

A heap of withered boughs was piled, 

Of juniper and °rowan wild, 

Mingled with °shivers from the oak, 

Kent by the lightning's recent stroke. 

Brian the Hermit by it stood, 

Barefooted, in his frock and hood. 

His grizzled beard and matted hair 

Obscured a visage of despair ; 

His naked arms and legs, °seamed o'er, 

The scars of frantic penance bore. 70 

That monk, of savage form and face, 

The impending danger of his race 

Had drawn from deepest solitude, 

Far in °Benharrow's bosom rude. 

Not his the mien of Christian priest, i 

But °Druid's, from the grave released, 

Whose hardened heart and eye might brook 

On human sacrifice to look ; 

And much, 'twas said, of heathen lore 

Mixed in the charms he muttered o'er. 80 

The °hallowed creed gave only worse 

And deadlier emphasis of curse. 



60 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Caxto III. 

No peasant sought that Hermit's prayer, 

His cave the pilgrim shunned with care ; 

The eager huntsman knew his bound, 

And in mid chase called off his hound; 

Or if, in lonely glen or °strath, 

The desert-dweller met his path, 

He prayed, and signed the cross between, 

While terror took devotion's mien. 90 



°Of Brian's birth strange tales were told. 

His mother watched a midnight fold, 

Built deep within a dreary glen, 

Where scattered lay the bones of men 

In some forgotten battle slain, 

And bleached by drifting wind and rain. 

It might have tamed a warrior's heart 

To view such mockery of his art! 

The knot-grass fettered there the hand 

Which once could burst an iron band ; 

Beneath the broad and ample bone, 

That bucklered heart to fear unknown, 

A feeble and a timorous guest, 

The °fieldfare framed her lowly nest; 

There the slow blindworm left his slime 

On the fleet limbs that mocked at time ; 

And there, too, lay the leader's skull, 

Still wreathed with ehaplet, flushed and full, 

For heath-bell with her purple bloom 

Supplied the bonnet and the plume. 

All night, in this sad glen, the maid 

Sat shrouded in her mantle's shade : 



Canto III.] THE GATHERING 61 

She said no shepherd sought her side, 

No hunter's hand her snood untied, 

Yet ne'er again to braid her hair 

The virgin snood did Alice wear ; 

Nor sought she, from that fatal night, 

Or holy church or blessed rite, 120 

But locked her secret in her breast, 

And died in travail, unconfessed. 



VI 

Alone, among his young compeers, 

Was Brian from his infant years ; 

A moody and heart-broken boy, 

Estranged from sympathy and joy, 

Bearing each taunt which careless tongue 

On his mysterious lineage flung. 

Whole nights he spent by moonlight pale, 

To wood and stream his °hap to wail, 130 

°Till, frantic, he as truth received 

What of his birth the crowd believed, 

And sought, in mist and meteor fire, 

To meet and know his Phantom Sire ! 

In vain, to soothe his wayward fate, 

The cloister oped her pitying gate ; 

In vain the learning of the age 

Unclasped the °sable-lettered page ; 

Even in its treasures he could find 

Food for the fever of his mind. 140 

Eager he read whatever tells 

Of magic, °cabala, and spells, 

And every dark pursuit allied 

To curious and presumptuous pride ; 



62 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Gaxto m. 

Till with fired brain and ne: : strung. 

And heart with mystic horrors wrung, 
Desperate he sought Benharrow's den, 
And hid him from the haunts of men. 



VII 

The desert gave him visions wild, 

Such as might suit the spectre's child. 15c 

Where with black cliffs the torrents toil, 

He watched the wheeling eddies boil, 

Till from their foam his dazzled eyea 

Beheld the Paver Demon rise: 

The mountain mist took form and limb 

Of noontide hag or goblin grim ; 

The midnight wind came wild and dread, 

Swelled with the voices of the dead; 

Far on the future battle-heath 

His eve beheld the ranks of death : ife 

Thus the lone Seer, from mankind hurled, 

Shaped forth a °disembodied world. 

One lingering sympathy of mind 

Still bound him to the mortal kind ; 

The only parent he could claim 

Of ancient Alpine's lineage came. 

Late had he heard, in prophet's dream, 

The fatal °Ben-Shie"s boding scream ; 

Sounds, too, had come in midnight blast 

Of charging steeds, careering fast 1- 

Along Benharrow's °shingly side, 

Where mortal horseman ne'er might ride 

The thunderbolt had split the pine, — 

°A11 augured ill to Alpine's line. 

He girt his loins, and came to she 



Canto III.] THE GATHERING 63 

The signals of impending woe, 

And now stood prompt to bless or ban, 

As bade the Chieftain of his clan. 



VIII 

'Twas all prepared ; — and from the rock 

A goat, the patriarch of the flock, iSo 

Before the kindling pile was laid, 

And pierced by Roderick's ready blade. 

Patient the sickening victim eyed 

The life-blood ebb in crimson tide 

Down his clogged beard and shaggy limb, 

Till darkness glazed his eyeballs dim. 

The grisly priest, with murmuring prayer, 

A slender °crosslet framed with care, 

A cubit's length in measure due ; 

The* shaft and limbs were rods of yew, 190 

Whose parents in °Inch-Cailliach wave 

Their shadows o'er Clan-Alpine's grave, 

And, answering Lomond's breezes deep, 

Soothe many a chieftain's endless sleep. 

The Cross thus formed he held on high, 

With wasted hand and haggard eye, 

And strange and mingled feelings woke, 

While his anathema he spoke : — 



IX 

°" Woe to the clansman who shall view 
This symbol of °sepulchral yew, 
Forgetful that its branches grew 
Where weep the heavens their holiest dew 
On Alpine's dwelling low ! 



64 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto III. 

Deserter of his Chieftain's trust, 
He ne'er shall mingle with their dust, 
But, from his sires and kindred thrust, 
Each clansman's execration just 

Shall doom him wrath and woe." 
He paused ; — the word the vassals took, 
With forward step and fiery look, 210 

On high their naked brands they shook, 
Their clattering targets wildly °strook; 

°And first in murmur low, 
Then, like the billow in his course, 
That far to seaward finds his source, 
And flings to shore his mustered force, 
Burst with loud roar their answer hoarse, 

" Woe to the traitor, woe ! " 
Ben-an's gray scalp the accents knew, 
The °joyous wolf from covert drew, 220 

The °exulting eagle screamed afar, — . 
They knew the voice of Alpine's war. 



*i 



The shout was hushed on lake and fell, 

The Monk resumed his muttered spell : 

Dismal and low its accents came, 

The while he scathed the Cross with flame ; 

And the few words that reached the air, 

Although the holiest name was there, 

Had more of blasphemy than prayer. 

But when he shook above the crowd 230 

Its kindled points, he spoke aloud : — 

" Woe to the w r retch who fails to rear 

At this dread sign the ready spear ! 

For, as the flames this symbol sear, 



Canto III.] THE GATHERING 65 

His home, the refuge of his fear, 

A kindred fate shall know ; 
Far o'er its roof the volume d flame 
Clan-Alpine's vengeance shall proclaim, 
While maids and matrons on his name 
Shall call down wretchedness and shame, 240 

And infamy and woe." 
Then rose the cry of females, shrill 
As goshawk's whistle on the hill, 
Denouncing misery and ill, 
Mingled with childhood's babbling trill 

Of curses stammered slow ; 
Answering with imprecation dread, 
" Sunk be his home in embers red ! 
And cursed be the meanest shed 
That e'er shall hide the houseless head 250 

We doom to want and woe ! " 
A sharp and shrieking echo gave, 
Coir-Uriskin, thy goblin cave ! 
And the gray pass where birches wave 

On °Beala-nam-bo. 



XI 

Then deeper paused the priest anew, 

And hard his laboring breath he drew, 

While, with set teeth and clenched hand, 

And eyes that glowed like fiery brand, 

He meditated curse more dread, 260 

And deadlier, on the clansman's head 

Who, summoned to his chieftain's aid, 

The signal saw and disobeyed. 

The crosslet's points of sparkling wood 

He quenched among the bubbling blood, 



66 THE LAD Y OF THE LAKE [Canto III. 

And, as again the sign he reared, 

Hollow and hoarse his voice was heard : 

" When flits this Cross from man to man, 

Vich- Alpine's summons to his clan, 

Burst be the ear that fails to heed ! 270 

Palsied the foot that shuns to speed! 

May ravens tear the careless eyes, 

Wolves make the coward heart their prize ! 

As sinks that blood-stream in the earth, 

So may his heart' s-blood drench his hearth ! 

As dies in hissing gore the spark, 

Quench thou his light, Destruction dark ! 

And be the °grace to him denied, 

Bought by °this sign to all beside ! " 

He ceased ; no echo gave again 280 

The murmur of the deep Amen. 



XII 

Then Eoderick with impatient look 
From Brian's hand the symbol took : 
" Speed, Malise, speed ! " he said, and gave 
The crosslet to his henchman brave. 
" The muster-place be °Lanrick mead — 
Instant the time — speed, Malise, speed ! " 
°Like heath-bird, when the hawks pursue, 
A barge across Loch Katrine flew : 
High stood the henchman on the prow ; 290 

So rapidly the barge-men row, 
The bubbles, where they launched the boat, 
Were all unbroken and afloat, 
Dancing in foam and ripple still, 
When it had neared the mainland hill ; 
And from the silver beach's side 



Canto III.] THE GATHERING 67 

Still was the prow three fathom wide, 
When lightly bounded to the land 
The messenger of blood and brand. 



XIII 

Speed, Malise, speed ! the °dun deer's hide 300 

On fleeter foot was never tied. 

Speed, Malise, speed ! such cause of haste 

Thine active sinews never braced. 

Bend 'gainst the °steepy hill thy breast, 

Burst down like torrent from its crest ; 

With short and springing footstep pass 

The trembling bog and false morass ; 

Across the brook like roebuck bound, 

And thread the brake like questing hound ; 

The crag is high, the °scaur is deep, 310 

Yet shrink not from the desperate leap : 

Parched are thy burning lips and brow, 

Yet by the fountain pause not now ; 

Herald of battle, fate, and fear, 

Stretch onward in thy fleet career ! 

The wounded hind thou track'st not now, 

Pursuest not maid through greenwood bough, 

Nor pliest thou now thy flying pace 

With rivals in the moiintain race ; 

But danger, death, and warrior deed 320 

Are in thy course — speed, Malise, speed ! 

XIV 

°Fast as the fatal symbol flies, 

In arms the huts and hamlets rise 1 ; 

From winding glen, from upland brown, 



68 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto III. 

They poured each hardy tenant down. 

Xor slacked the messenger his pace : 

He showed the sign, he named the place, 

And. pressing forward like the wind. 

Left clamor and surprise behind. 

The fisherman forsook the strand. 330 

The swarthy smith took dirk and brand ; 

With changed "cheer, the mower blithe 

Left in the half-cut swath his scythe ; 

The herds without a keeper strayed. 

The plough was in mid-furrow stayed. 

The falconer tossed his hawk away, 

The hunter left the stag at bay ; 

Prompt at the signal of alarms. 

Each son of Alpine rushed to arms ; 

So swept the tumult and affray 340 

Along the margin of Achray. 

Alas, thou lovely lake ! that e'er 

Thy banks should echo sounds of fear ! 

The rocks, the °bosky thickets, sleep 

So stilly on thy bosom deep. 

The lark's blithe carol from the cloud 

Seems for the scene too gayly loud. 



xv 

Speed. Malise. speed ! The lake is past, 

°I)uncraggan's huts appear at last. 

And peep, like moss-grown rocks, half seen. 350 

Half hidden in the copse so green ; 

There inayst thou rest, thy labor done, 

Their lord shall speed the signal on. — 

As stoops the hawk upon his prey. 

The henchman shot him down the way. 



Canto III.] THE GATHERING 69 

What wof ul accents load the gale ? 

The funeral yell, the female wail ! 

A gallant hunter's sport is o'er, 

A valiant warrior fights no more. 

Who, in the battle or the chase, 360 

At Koderick's side shall fill his place ! — 

Within the hall, where torch's ray 

Supplies the excluded beams of day, 

Lies Duncan on his lowly bier, 

And o'er him streams his widow's tear. 

His stripling son stands mournful by, 

His youngest weeps, but knows not why ; 

The village maids and matrons round 

The dismal coronach resound. 

XVI 
°CORONACH 

He is gone on the mountain, 370 

He is lost to the forest, 
Like a summer-dried fountain, 

When our need was the sorest. 
The font, reappearing, 

From the rain-drops shall borrow, 
But to us comes no cheering, 

To Duncan no morrow ! 

The hand of the reaper 

Takes the ears that are hoary, 
But the voice of the weeper 380 

Wails manhood in glory. 
The autumn winds rushing 

Waft the leaves that are searest, 
But our flower was in "flushing, 

When blighting was nearest. 



70 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto III. 

Fleet foot on the °correi,l 

Sage counsel in °eumber, 
Bed hand in the foray, 

How sound is thy slumber ! 
Like the dew on the mountain, 390 

Like the foam on the river, 
Like the bubble on the fountain, 

°Thou art gone, and forever ! 



XVII 

See °Stumah, who, the bier beside, 

His master's corpse with wonder eyed, 

Poor Stumah ! whom his least halloo 

Could send like lightning o'er the dew, 

Bristles his crest, and points his ears, 

As if some stranger step he hears. 

'Tis not a mourner's muffled tread, 400 

Who comes to sorrow o'er the dead, 

But headlong haste or deadly fear 

Urge the °precipitate career. 

All stand aghast : — unheeding all, 

The henchman bursts into the hall ; 

Before the dead man's bier he stood, 

Held forth the Cross besmeared with blood ; 

" The muster-place is Lanrick mead ; 

Speed forth the signal ! clansmen, speed ! " 

XVIII 

Angus, the heir of Duncan's line, 410 

Sprung forth and seized the fatal sign. 
In haste the stripling to his side 






Canto III.] THE GATHERING 71 

His father's dirk and broadsword tied ; 

But when he saw his mother's eye 

Watch him in speechless agony, 

Back to her opened arms he flew, 

Pressed on her lips a fond adieu, — 

" Alas ! " she sobbed, — " and yet be gone, 

And speed thee forth, like Duncan's son ! " 

One look he cast upon the bier, 420 

Dashed from his eye the gathering tear, 

Breathed deep to clear his laboring breast, 

And tossed aloft his bonnet crest, 

Then, like the high-bred colt when, freed, 

First he °essays his fire and speed, 

He vanished, and o'er moor and moss 

Sped forward with the Fiery Cross. 

Suspended was the widow's tear 

While yet his footsteps she could hear ; 

And when she marked the henchman's eye 430 

Wet with unwonted sympathy, 

u Kinsman," she said, "his race is run 

That should have sped thine errand on ; 

The oak has fallen, — the sapling bough 

Is all Duncraggan's shelter now. 

Yet trust I well, his duty done, 

The orphan's God will guard my son. — 

And you, in many a danger true, 

At .Duncan's °hest your blades that drew, 

To arms, and guard that orphan's head ! 440 

Let babes and women wail the dead." 

Then weapon-clang and martial call 

Resounded through the funeral hall, 

While from the walls the attendant band 

Snatched sword and targe with hurried hand ; 

And short and flitting energy 



72 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto III. 

Glanced from the mourner's sunken eye, 

As if the sounds to warrior dear 

Might rouse her Duncan from his bier. 

But faded soon that borrowed force ; 450 

Grief claimed his right, and tears their course. 



XIX 

°Benledi saw the Cross of Fire, 

It glanced like lightning up °Strath-Ire. 

O'er dale and hill the summons flew, 

Nor rest nor pause young Angus knew; 

The tear that gathered in his eye 

He left the mountain-breeze to dry ; 

Until, where Teith's young waters roll 

Betwixt him and a wooded knoll 

That graced the sable strath with green, 460 

The chapel of Saint Bride was seen. 

Swoln was the stream, remote the bridge, 

But Angus paused not on the edge ; 

Though the dark waves danced dizzily, 

Though °reeled his sympathetic eye, 

He dashed amid the torrent's roar : 

His right hand high the crosslet bore, 

His left the pole-axe grasped, to guide 

And stay his footing in the tide. 

He stumbled twice, — the foam splashed high, 470 

With hoarser swell the stream raced by ; 

And had he fallen, — forever there, 

Farewell Duncraggan's orphan heir ! 

But still, as if in parting life, 

Firmer he grasped the Cross of strife, 

Until the opposing bank he gained, 

And up the chapel pathway strained. 



Canto in] THE GATHERING 73 



XX 

A °blithesome rout that °morning-tide 

Had sought the chapel of Saint Bride. 

Her troth °Tombea ? s Mary gave 480 

To Norman, heir of Armandave, 

And, issuing from the °Gothic arch, 

The bridal now resumed their march. 

°In rude but glad procession came 

Bonneted sire and °coif-clad dame ; 

And plaided youth, with jest and jeer, 

Which snooded maiden would not hear ; 

And children, that, unwitting why, 

Lent the gay shout their shrilly cry ; 

And minstrels, that in measures vied 490 

Before the young and bonny bride, 

Whose downcast eye and cheek disclose 

The tear and blush of morning rose. 

With virgin step and bashful hand 

She held the kerchiefs snowy band. 

The gallant bridegroom by her side 

Beheld his prize with victor's pride, 

And the glad mother in her ear 

Was closely whispering word of cheer. 

XXI 

Who meets them at the churchyard gate ? 500 

The messenger of fear and fate ! 

Haste in his hurried accent lies, 

And grief is swimming in his eyes. 

All dripping from the recent flood, 

Panting and travel-soiled he stood, 

The fatal sign of fire and sword 



74 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto III. 

Held forth, and spoke the appointed word: 

" The muster-place is Lanrick mead ; 

Speed forth the signal ! Norman, speed ! " 

And must he change so soon the hand 510 

Just linked to his by holy band, 

For the fell Cross of blood and brand ? 

And must the day so blithe that rose, 

And promised rapture in the close, 

Before its setting hour, divide 

The bridegroom from the plighted bride ? 

O fatal doom ! — it must ! it must ! 

Clan-Alpine's cause, her Chieftain's trust, 

Her summons dread, brook no delay ; 

Stretch to the race, — away ! away ! 520 

XXII 

Yet slow he laid his plaid aside, 

And lingering eyed his lovely bride, 

Until he saw the starting tear 

Speak woe he might not stop to cheer ; 

Then, trusting not a second look, 

In haste he sped him up the brook, 

Nor backward glanced till on the heath 

Where Lubnaig's lake supplies the Teith. — 

What in the racer's bosom stirred ? 

The sickening pang of hope deferred, 530 

And memory with a torturing train 

Of all his morning visions vain. 

°Mingled with love's impatience, came 

The manly thirst for martial fame ; 

The stormy joy of mountaineers 

Ere yet they rush upon the spears ; 

And zeal for Clan and Chieftain burning, 



Canto III.] THE GATHERING 75 

And hope, from well-fought field returning, 

With war's red honors on his crest, 

To clasp his Mary to his breast. 540 

Stung by such thoughts, o'er bank and brae, . 

°Like fire from flint he glanced away, 

While high resolve and feeling strong 

Burst into voluntary song. 

XXIII 

°SONG 

The heath this night must be my bed, 
The °bracken curtain for my head, 
My lullaby the warder's tread, 

Far, far, from love and thee, Mary ; 
To-morrow eve, more stilly laid, 
My couch may be my bloody plaid, 550 

My vesper song thy wail, sweet maid ! 

It will not waken me, Mary ! 

I may not, dare not, fancy now 

The grief that clouds thy lovely brow, 

I dare not think upon thy vow, 

And all it promised me, Mary. 
No fond regret must Norman know ; 
When bursts Clan-Alpine on the foe, 
His heart must be like bended bow, 

His foot like arrow free, Mary. 560 

A time will come with feeling fraught, 
For, if I fall in battle fought, 
Thy hapless lover's dying thought 

Shall be a thought on thee, Mary. 
And if returned from conquered foes, 



LALY OF THE LAKE 



How blithely will the evening clc 

How sweet the linnet sing repose, 

To niy young bride and me. ]VTary ! 



XXIV 

°Xot faster o'er thy heathery c braes, 

°Balquidder. speeds the midnight biaze, 570 

Hushing in conflagration strong 

Thy deep ravines and dells along, 

Wrapping thy cliffs in purple glow. 

And reddening the dark lakes below ; 

Xor faster speeds it. nor so far. 

As o'er thy heaths the voice of war. 

The signal roused to martial ~coil 

The sullen margin of Loch Voil. 

Waked still Loch Dome, and to the source 

Alarmed. Balvaig. thy swampy course ; 580 

Thence southward turned its rapid road 

Adown Strath-Gartney's valley broad, 

Till rose in arms each man might claim 

A portion in Clan- Alpine's name, 

From the gray sire, whose trembling hand 

Could hardly buckle on his brand, 

To the raw boy, whose shaft and bow 

Were yet scarce terror to the ere 

Each valley, each sequestered glen, 

Mustered its little horde of men. 590 

That met as torrents from the height 

In Highland dales their streams unite, 

Still gathering, as they pour along, 

A voice more loud, a tide more strong. 

Till at the rendezvous they stood 

By hundreds prompt for blows and blood 



Canto III.] THE GATHERING 77 

Each trained to arms since life began, 

Owning no tie but to his clan, 

°No oath but by his chieftain's hand, 

No law but Roderick Dhu's command. 600 

XXV 

That summer morn had Roderick Dhu 

Surveyed the skirts of Benvenue, 

And sent his scouts o'er hill and heath, 

To view the frontiers of Menteith. 

All backward came with news of truce ; 

Still lay each martial Graeme and Bruce, 

In °Rednock courts no horsemen wait, 

No banner waved on °Cardross gate, 

On °Duchray's towers no beacon shone, 

Nor scared the herons from Loch Con ; 610 

All seemed at peace. — Now °wot ye why 

The Chieftain with such anxious eye, 

Ere to the muster he repair, 

This western frontier scanned with care ? — 

In Benvenue's most darksome cleft, 

A fair though cruel pledge was left ; 

For Douglas, to his promise true, 

That morning from the isle withdrew, 

And in a deep sequestered dell 

Had sought a low and lonely cell. 620 

By many a bard in Celtic tongue 

Has Coir-nan-Uriskin been sung ; 

A softer name the Saxons gave, 

And called the grot the Goblin Cave. 

XXVI 

It was a wild and strange retreat, 
As e'er was trod by outlaw's feet. 



78 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto III. 

The dell, upon the mountain's crest, 

Yawned like a gash on warrior's breast ; 

Its trench had stayed full many a rock, 

Hurled by primeval earthquake shock 630 

From Benvenue's gray summit wild, 

And here, in random ruin piled, 

They frowned Encumbent o'er the spot, 

And formed the rugged sylvan grot. 

The oak and birch with mingled shade 

At noontide there a twilight made, 

Unless when short and sudden shone 

Some straggling beam on cliff or stone, 

With such a glimpse as prophet's eye 

Gains on thy depth, Futurity. 640 

No murmur waked the solemn °still, 

Save tinkling of a fountain rill ; 

But when the wind °chaf ed with the lake, 

A sullen sound would upward break, 

With dashing hollow voice, that spoke 

The incessant war of wave and rock. 

Suspended cliffs with hideous sway 

Seemed nodding o'er the cavern gray. 

From such a den the wolf had sprung, 

In such the wild-cat leaves her young ; 650 

Yet Douglas and his daughter fair 

Sought for a space their safety there. 

Gray Superstition's whisper dread 

Debarred the spot to vulgar tread ; 

For there, she said, did fays resort, 

And satyrs hold their sylvan court, 

By moonlight tread their mystic maze, 

And blast the rash beholder's gaze. 



Canto III.] 



THE GATHERING 



79 



XXVII 

Now eve, with western shadows long, 

Floated on Katrine bright and strong, 660 

When Eoderick with a chosen few 

Repassed the heights of Benvenue. 

Above the Goblin cave they go, 

Through the wild pass of Beal-nam-bo ; 

The prompt retainers speed before, 

To launch the shallop from the shore, 

For 'cross Loch Katrine lies his way 

To view the passes of Achray, 

And place his clansmen in array. 

Yet lags the Chief in musing mind, 670 

Unwonted sight, his men behind. 

°A single page, to bear his sword, 

Alone attended on his lord ; 

The rest their way through thickets break, 

And soon await him by the lake. 

It was a fair and gallant sight, 

To view them from the neighboring height, 

By the low-levelled sunbeam's light ! 

For strength and stature, from the clan 

Each warrior was a chosen man, 680 

As even afar might well be seen, 

By their proud step and martial mien. 

°Their feathers dance, their tartans float, 

Their targets gleam, as by the boat 

A wild and warlike group they stand, 

That well became such mountain-strand. 



XXVIII 



Their Chief with step reluctant still 
Was lingering on the craggy hill, 



80 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto III. 

Hard by where turned apart the road 

To Douglas's obscure abode. 690 

It was but with that dawning morn 

That Roderick Dhu had proudly sworn 

To drown his love in war's wild roar, 

Nor think of Ellen Douglas more ; 

But he who stems a stream with sand, 

And fetters flame with °flaxen band, 

Has yet a harder task to prove, — 

By firm resolve to conquer love ! 

Eve finds the Chief, like restless ghost, 

Still hovering near his treasure lost ; 700 

Eor though his haughty heart deny 

A parting meeting to his eye, 

Still fondly strains his anxious ear 

The accents of her voice to hear, 

And inly did he curse the breeze 

That waked to sound the rustling trees. 

But hark ! what mingles in the strain ? 

It is the harp of Allan-bane, 

That wakes its measure slow and high, 

Attuned to sacred minstrelsy. 710 

What melting voice attends the strings ? 

? Tis Ellen, or an angel, sings. 

XXIX 
°HYMN TO THE VIRGIN 

Ave Maria I maiden mild ! 

Listen to a maiden's prayer ! 
Thou canst hear though from the wild, 

Thou canst save amid despair. 
Safe may we sleep beneath thy care, 



Canto III.] THE GATHERING 81 

Though banished, outcast, and reviled — 
Maiden ! hear a maiden's prayer ; 

Mother, hear a suppliant child ! 720 

Ave Maria ! 

Ave Maria ! undefiled ! 

The flinty conch we now must share 
Shall seem with down of eider piled, 

If thy protection hover there. 
The murky cavern's heavy air 

Shall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled ; 
Then, Maiden ! hear a maiden's prayer, 

Mother, list a suppliant child ! 

Ave Maria I 

Ave Maria ! stainless styled ! 

Foul demons of the earth and air, 730 

From this their wonted haunt exiled, 

Shall flee before thy presence fair. 
We bow us to our lot of care, 

Beneath thy guidance reconciled : 
Hear for a maid a maiden's prayer, 

And for a father hear a child ! 

Ave Maria ! 

XXX 

°Died on the harp the closing hymn, — 

Unmoved in attitude and limb, 

As listening still, Clan-Alpine's lord 

Stood leaning on his heavy sword, 74 o 

Until the page with humble sign 

Twice pointed to the sun's decline. 

Then while his plaid he round him cast, 

" It is the last time — 'tis the last," 



82 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto III. 

He muttered thrice, — "the last time e'er 

That angel-voice shall Eoderick hear ! " 

It was a goading thought, — his stride 

Hied hastier down the mountain-side ; 

Sullen he flung him in the boat, 

An instant 'cross the lake it shot. 750 

They landed in °that silvery bay, 

And eastward held their hasty way, 

Till, with the latest beams of light, 

The band arrived on Lanrick height, 

Where mustered in the vale below 

Clan- Alpine's men in martial show. 

XXXI 

A various scene the clansmen made : 

°Some sat, some stood, some slowly strayed; 

But most, with mantles folded round, 

Were couched to rest upon the ground, 760 

Scarce to be known by curious eye 

From the deep heather where they lie, 

So well was matched the tartan screen 

With heath-bell dark and brackens green ; 

Unless where, here and there, a blade 

Or lance's point a glimmer made, 

Like glow-worm twinkling through the shade. 

But when, advancing through the gloom, 

They saw the Chieftain's eagle plume, 

Their shout of welcome, shrill and wide, 770 

Shook the steep mountain's steady side. 

Thrice it arose, and lake and fell 

Three times returned the martial yell ; 

It died upon Bochastle's plain, 

And Silence claimed her evening reign. 






CANTO FOURTH 

THE PROPHECY 



"The rose is fairest when 'tis budding new, 

And hope is brightest when it dawns from fears ; 
The rose is sweetest washed with morning dew, 

And love is loveliest when embalmed in tears. 
°wilding rose, °whom fancy thus endears, 

I bid your blossoms in my bonnet wave, 
Emblem of hope and love through future years ! " 

Thus spoke young Norman, heir of Armandave, 
What time the sun arose on Vennachar's broad wave. 



ii 

Such fond conceit, half said, half sung, 
Love prompted to the bridegroom's tongue. 
All while he stripped the wild-rose spray, 
His axe and bow beside him lay, 
For on a pass 'twixt lake and wood 
A wakeful sentinel he stood. 
Hark ! — on the rock a footstep rung, 
And instant to his arms he sprung. 
" Stand, or thou diest ! — What, Malise ? — soon 
Art thou returned from Braes of Doune. 
By thy keen step and glance 1 know, 
83 



84 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto IV. 

Thou bring'st us tidings of the foe." — 

For while the Fiery Cross hied on, 

On distant scout had Malise gone. — 

" Where sleeps the Chief ? " the henchman said. 

" Apart, in yonder misty glade ; 

To his lone couch I'll be your guide." — 

Then called a slumberer by his side, 

And stirred him with his slackened bow, — 

" Up, up, Glentarkin ! rouse thee, ho ! 

We seek the Chieftain ; on the track 30 

Keep °eagle watch till I come back." 



in 

Together up the pass they sped : 

" What of the foeman ? " Norman said. — 

"Varying reports from near and far; 

This certain, — that a band of war 

Has for two days been ready °boune, 

At prompt command to march from °Doune ; 

King James the while, with princely powers, 

Holds revelry in Stirling towers. 

Soon will this dark and gathering cloud 40 

Speak on our glens in thunder loud. 

°Inured to bide such bitter bout, 

The warrior's plaid may bear it out ; 

But, Norman, how wilt thou provide 

A shelter for thy bonny bride ? " — 

" What ! know ye not that Eoderick's care 

To the lone isle hath caused repair 

Each maid and matron of the clan, 

And every child and aged man 

Unfit for arms ; and given his charge, 50 

Nor skiff nor shallop, boat nor barge, 









Canto IV.] THE PROPHECY 85 

Upon these lakes shall float at large, 

But all beside the islet moor, 

That such dear pledge may rest secure ? " — 



IV 

"'Tis well advised, — the Chieftain's plan 

Bespeaks the father of his clan. 

But wherefore sleeps Sir Roderick Dhu 

Apart from all his followers true ? " 

" It is because last evening-tide 

Brian an augury hath tried, 60 

Of that dread kind which must not be 

Unless in dread extremity, 

The °Taghairm called ; by which, afar, 

Our sires foresaw the events of war. 

Duncraggan's milk-white bull they slew," — 



MALISE 

" Ah ! well the gallant brute I knew ! 

The choicest of the prey we had 

When swept our merrymen Gallangad. 

His hide was snow, his horns were dark, 

His red eye glowed like fiery spark ; 70 

80 fierce, so tameless, and so fleet, 

Sore did he cumber our retreat, 

And kept our stoutest °kerns in awe, 

Even at the pass of °Beal 'maha. 

But steep and flinty was the road, 

And sharp the hurrying pikeman's goad, 

And when we came to °Dennan's Row 

A child might scathless stroke his brow." 



86 THE LAD Y OF THE LAKE [Canto IV. 



NORMAN 

" That bull was slain ; his reeking hide 

They stretched the cataract beside, 80 

Whose waters their wild tumult toss 

Adown the black and craggy °boss 

Of that huge cliff whose ample ° verge 

Tradition calls the Hero's °Targe. 

Couched on a shelf beneath its brink, 

Close where the thundering torrents sink, 

Rocking beneath their headlong sway, 

And drizzled by the ceaseless spray. 

Midst groan of rock and roar of stream, 

The wizard waits prophetic dream. 90 

Nor distant rests the Chief ; — but hush ! 

See, gliding slow through mist and bush, 

The hermit gains yon rock, and stands 

To gaze upon our slumbering bands. 

Seems he not, Malise, like a ghost, 

That hovers o'er a slaughtered host ? 

Or raven on the blasted oak, 

That, watching °while the deer is broke, 

His morsel claims with sullen croak ? " 



MALISE 

" Peace ! peace ! to other than to me 

Thy words were evil augury ; 

But still I hold Sir Roderick's blade 

Clan-Alpine's omen and her aid, 

Not aught that, gleaned from heaven or hell, 



Canto IV.] THE PftOPHECY 87 

Yon fiend-begotten Monk can tell. 

The Chieftain joins him, see — and now 

Together they descend the brow." 



VI 

And, as they came, with Alpine's Lord 

The Hermit Monk held solemn word : — 

" Roderick ! it is a fearful strife, no 

For man endowed with mortal life, 

Whose shroud of °sentient clay can still 

Feel feverish pang and fainting chill, 

Whose eye can stare in stony trance, 

Whose hair can °rouse like warrior's lance, — 

'Tis hard for such to view, unfurled, 

The curtain of the future world. 

Yet, witness every quaking limb, 

My sunken pulse, mine eyeballs dim, 

My soul with harrowing anguish torn, 120 

This for my Chieftain have I borne ! — 

The shapes that sought my fearful couch 

A human tongue may ne'er avouch ; 

No mortal man — save he, who, bred 

Between the living and the dead, 

Is gifted beyond nature's law — 

Had e'er survived to say he saw. 

At length the fateful answer came 

In characters of living flame ! 

Not spoke in word, nor blazed in scroll, 130 

But borne and branded on my soul : — 

Which spills the foremost foeman's life, 

That party conqukks kn the strife." 



88 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto IV. 



VII 

" Thanks, Brian, for thy zeal and care ! 

Good is thine augury, and fair. 

Clan- Alpine ne'er in battle stood 

But first our broadswords tasted blood. 

A surer victim still I know, 

°Self -offered to the auspicious blow : 

A spy has sought my land this morn, — i 4 o 

No eve shall witness his return ! 

My followers guard each pass's mouth, 

To east, to westward, and to south ; 

Eed Murdoch, bribed to be his guide, 

Has charge to lead his steps aside, 

Till in deep path or dingle brown 

He light on those shall bring him down. — 

But see, who comes his news to show! 

Malise ! what tidings of the foe ? " 

VIII 

"At Doune, o'er many a spear and °glaive 150 

Two Barons proud their banners wave. 

I saw the Moray's silver star, 

And marked the °sable pale of Mar." 

" Ay Alpine's soul, high tidings those ! 

I love to hear of worthy foes. 

When move they on ? " " To-morrow's noon 

Will see them here for battle boune." 

" Then shall it see a meeting stern ! 

But, for the place, — say, couldst thou learn 

Nought of the friendly clans of Earn ? 

Strengthened by them, we well might bide 

The battle on Benledi's side. 



Canto IV.J THE PROPHECY 89 

Thou couldst not ? — well ! Clan-Alpine's men 

Shall man the Trosachs' °shaggy glen; 

Within Loch Katrine's gorge we'll light, 

All in our maids 5 and matrons' sight, 

Each for his hearth and household fire, 

Father for child, and son for sire, 

Lover for maid beloved ! — But why — 

Is it the breeze affects mine eye ? 170 

Or dost thou come, ill-omened tear! 

A messenger of doubt or fear ? 

No ! sooner may the Saxon lance 

Unfix Benledi from his °stance, 

Than doubt or terror can pierce through 

The unyielding heart of Roderick Dhu ! 

'Tis stubborn as his trusty targe. 

Each to his post! — all know their charge." 

The pibroch sounds, the bands advance, 

The broadswords gleam, the banners dance, 180 

Obedient to the Chieftain's glance. — 

I turn me from the martial roar, 

And seek Coir-Uriskin once more. 



IX 

Where is the Douglas ? — he is gone ; 
And Ellen sits on the gray stone 
Fast by the cave, and makes her moan 
While vainly Allan's words of cheer 
Are poured on her unheeding ear. 
" He will return — dear lady, trust ! — 
With joy return ; — he will — he must. 
Well was it time to seek afar 
Some refuge from impending war, 
When e'en Clan-Alpine's rugged swarm 




90 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto IV. 

Are cowed by the approaching storm. 
I saw their boats with many a light, 
Floating the livelong yesternight, 
Shifting like flashes darted forth 
By the red streamers of the north ; 
I marked at morn how close they ride, 
Thick moored by the lone islet's side, 
Like wild ducks couching in the fen 
When stoops the hawk upon the glen. 
Since this rude race dare not abide 
The peril on the mainland side, 
Shall not thy noble father's care 
Some safe retreat for thee prepare ? " 



ELLEN 

" No, Allan, no ! Pretext so kind 
My wakeful terrors could not blind. 
When in such tender tone, yet grave, 
Douglas a parting blessing gave, 
The tear that glistened in his eye 
Drowned not his purpose fixed and high. 
°My soul, though feminine and weak, 
Can image his ; e'en as the lake, 
Itself disturbed by slightest stroke, 
Eeflects the invulnerable rock. 
He hears report of battle °rife, 
He deems himself the cause of strife. 
I saw him redden when the theme 
Turned, Allan, on thine idle dream 
Of Malcolm Graeme in fetters bound, 
Which I, thou saidst, about him wound. 



Canto IV.] THE PROPHECY 91 

Think'st thou he °trowed thine omen aught ? 

O no ! 'twas apprehensive thought 

For the kind youth, — for Roderick too — 

Let me be just — that friend so true ; 

In danger °both, and in our cause ! 

Minstrel, the Douglas dare not pause. 

Why else that solemn warning given, 

" If not on earth, we meet in heaven ! " 230 

Why else, to °Cambus-kenneth's fane, 

If eve return him not again, 

Am I to hie and make me known ? 

Alas ! he goes to Scotland's throne, 

Buys his friends' safety with his own ; 

He goes to do — w r hat I had done, 

Had Douglas' daughter been his son ! " 



XI 

"Nay, lovely Ellen ! — dearest, nay ! 

If aught should his return delay, 

He only named yon holy fane 240 

As fitting place to meet again. 

Be sure he's safe ; and for the Graeme, — 

Heaven's blessing on his gallant name ! — 

My visioned sight may yet prove true, 

Nor °bode of ill to him or you. 

When did my gifted dream beguile ? 

Think of the stranger at the isle, 

And think upon the harpings slow 

That °presaged this approaching woe ! 

Sooth was my prophecy of fear ; 250 

Believe it when it augurs cheer. 

Would we had left this dismal spot ! 

Ill luck still haunts a fairy grot. 



92 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto IV. 

Of such a wondrous tale I know — 
Dear lady, change that look of woe, 
My harp was wont thy grief to cheer." 

ELLEN 

" Well, be it as thou wilt ; I hear, 

But cannot stop the bursting tear." 

The Minstrel tried his simple art, 

But distant far was Ellen's heart. 260 

XII 

°BALLAD 

ALICE BRAND 

Merry it is in the good greenwood, 

When the °mavis and °merle are singing, 

When the deer sweeps by, and the hounds are in cry, 
And the hunter's horn is ringing. 

" Alice Brand, my native land 

Is lost for love of you ; 
And we must hold by wood and °wold, 

As outlaws wont to do. 

" Alice, 'twas all for thy locks so bright, 

And 'twas all for thine eyes so blue, 270 

That on the night of our luckless flight 
Thy brother bold I slew. 

" Now must I teach to hew the beech 

The hand that held the glaive, 
For leaves to spread our lowly bed, 

And stakes to fence our cave. 



Canto IV] THE PROPHECY 93 

" And for °vest of pall, thy fingers small, 

That wont on harp to stray, 
A cloak must shear from the slaughtered deer, 

To keep the cold away." 280 

" Eichard ! if my brother died, 

'Twas but a fatal chance ; 
For darkling was the battle tried, 

And fortune sped the lance. 

" If pall and °vair no more I wear, 

Nor thou the crimson sheen, 
As warm, we'll say, is the russet gray, 

As gay the forest-green. 

u And, Eichard, if our lot be hard, 

And lost thy native land, 290 

Still Alice has her own Eichard, 

And he his Alice Brand." 



XIII 
BALLAD CONTINUED 

'Tis merry, 'tis merry, in good greenwood ; 

So blithe Lady Alice is singing ; 
On the beech's pride, and oak's brown side, 

Lord Eichard's axe is ringing. 

Up spoke the moody Elfin King, 

Who °woned within the hill, — 
Like wind in the porch of a ruined church, 

His voice was ghostly shrill. 300 



94 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto IV. 

"Why sounds yon stroke on beech and oak, 

Our moonlight circle's screen ? 
Or who comes here to chase the deer, 

Beloved of our Elfin Queen ? 
Or who may dare on wold to wear 

The dairies' fatal green ? 

" Up, Urgan, up ! to yon mortal hie, 

For thou wert christened man ; 
For cross or sign thou wilt not fly, 

For muttered word or ban. 310 

" Lay on him the curse of the withered heart, 

The curse of the sleepless eye ; 
Till he wish and pray that his life would part, 

Nor yet find leave to die." 

XIV 
BALLAD CONTINUED 

'Tis merry, 'tis merry, in good greenwood, 
Though the birds have stilled their singing ; 

The evening blaze doth Alice raise, 
And Richard is fagots bringing. 

Up Urgan starts, that hideous dwarf, 

Before Lord Richard stands, 320 

And, as he crossed and blessed himself, 
"I fear not sign," quoth the grisly elf, 

" That is made with bloody hands." 

But out then spoke she, Alice Brand, 

That woman void of fear, — 
" And if there's blood upon his hand, 

'Tis but the blood of deer." 



Canto IV.] THE PROPHECY 95 

" Now loud thou liest, thou bold of mood ! 

It cleaves unto his hand, 
The stain of thine own °kindly blood, 330 

The blood of Ethert Brand." 

Then forward stepped she, Alice Brand, 

And made the holy sign, — 
" And if there's blood on Richard's hand, 

A spotless hand is mine. 

(i And I conjure thee, demon elf, 

By Him whom demons fear, 
To show us whence thou art thyself, 

And what thine errand here ? " 



xv 

BALLAD CONTINUED 

" 'Tis merry, 'tis merry, in Fairy-land, 340 

When fairy birds are singing, 
When the court doth ride by their monarch's side, 

With bit and bridle ringing : 

" And gayly shines the Fairy-land — 

But all is glistening show, 
Like the idle gleam that December's beam 

Can dart on ice and snow. 

" And fading, like that varied gleam, 

Is our inconstant shape, 
Who now like knight and lady seem, 350 

And now like dwarf and ape. 



96 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto IV. 

"It was between the night and day, 

When the Fairy King has power, 
That I sunk down in a sinful fray. 
And 'twixt life and death was snatched away 

To the joyless Elfin bower. 

" But wist I of a woman bold, 

Who thrice my brow °durst sign, 
I might regain my mortal mould, 

As fair a form as thine." 360 

She crossed him once — she crossed him twice — 

That lady was so brave ; 
The fouler grew his goblin hue, 

The darker grew the cave. 

She crossed him thrice, that lady bold ; 

He rose beneath her hand 
The fairest knight on Scottish mould, 

Her brother, Ethert Brand ! 

Merry it is in good greenwood, 

When the mavis and merle are singing, 370 

But merrier were they in °Dunfermline gray, 

When all the bells were ringing. 



XVI 

Just as the minstrel sounds were stayed, 
A stranger climbed the steepy glade ; 
His martial step, his stately mien, 
His hunting-suit of Lincoln green. 
His eagle glance, remembrance claims — 



Canto IV.] THE PROPHECY 97 

'Tis Snowdoun's Knight, 'tis James Fitz-James. 

Ellen beheld as in a dream. 

Then, starting, scarce suppressed a scream : 380 

" stranger ! in such hour of fear 

What evil hap has brought thee here ? " 

" An evil hap how can it be 

That bids me look again on thee ? 

By promise bound, my former guide 

Met me betimes this morning-tide, 

And marshalled over bank and °bourne 

The happy path of my return." 

" The happy path ! — what ! said he naught 

Of war, of battle to be fought, 390 

Of guarded pass ? " " No, by my faith ! 

Nor saw I aught could °augur scathe." 

" haste thee, Mian, to the kern : 

Yonder his tartans I discern ; 

Learn thou his purpose, and °conjure 

That he will guide the stranger sure ! — 

What prompted thee, unhappy man ? 

The meanest serf in Roderick's clan 

Had not been °bribed, by love or fear, 

Unknown to him to guide thee here." 400 



XVII 

" Sweet Ellen, dear my life must be, 

Since it is worthy care from thee ; 

Yet life I hold but idle breath 

When love or honor's weighed with death. 

Then let me profit by my chance, 

And speak my purpose bold at once. 

I come to bear thee from a wild 

Where ne'er °before such blossom smiled. 



98 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto IV. 

By this soft hand to lead thee far 

From frantic scenes of feud and war. 410 

Near Bochastle my horses wait ; 

They bear us soon to Stirling gate. 

I'll place thee in a lovely bower, 

I'll guard thee like a tender flower — " 

" hush, Sir Knight ! 'twere female art, 

To say I do not read thy heart ; 

Too much, before, my selfish ear 

Was idly soothed my praise to hear. 

That fatal bait hath lured thee back, 

In deathful hour, o'er dangerous track ; 420 

And how, O how, can I °atone 

The wreck my vanity brought on ! — 

One way remains — I'll tell him all — 

Yes ! struggling bosom, °forth it shall ! 

Thou, whose light folly bears the blame, 

Buy thine own pardon with thy shame ! 

But first — my father is a man 

Outlawed and exiled, under ban ; 

The price of blood is on his head, 

With me 'twere °infamy to wed. 430 

Still wouldst thou speak ? — then hear the truth ! 

Fitz- James, there is a noble youth — 

If yet he is ! — exposed for me 

And mine to dread extremity — 

Thou hast the secret of my heart ; 

Forgive, be generous, and depart ! " 

XVIII 

Fitz-James knew every wily train 

A lady's fickle heart to gain, 

But here he knew and felt them vain. 



Canto IV.] THE PROPHECY 99 

There shot no glance from Ellen's eye, 440 

To give her steadfast speech the lie ; 

In maiden confidence she stood, 

Though mantled in her cheek the blood, 

And told her love with such a sigh 

Of deep and hopeless agony, 

As death had sealed her Malcolm's doom 

And she sat sorrowing on his tomb. 

Hope vanished from Fitz-James's eye, 

But not with hope fled sympathy. 

He proffered to attend her side, 450 

As brother would a sister guide. 

" little know'st thou Roderick's heart ! 

Safer for both we go apart. 

haste thee, and from Allan learn 

If thou mayst trust yon wily kern." 

°With hand upon his forehead laid, 

The conflict of his mind to shade, 

A parting step or two he made ; 

Then, as some thought had crossed his brain, 

He paused, and turned, and came again. 460 



XIX 

"Here, lady, yet a parting word ! — 

It chanced in fight that my poor sword 

Preserved the life of Scotland's lord. 

This ring the grateful Monarch gave, 

And bade, when I had boon to crave, 

To bring it back, and boldly claim 

The recompense that I would name. 

Ellen, I am no courtly lord, 

But one who lives by lance and sword, 

Whose castle is his helm and shield, 470 



***to 



Inn THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto IV. 

His "lordship the "embattled field. 

What from a prince can I demand. 

"Who neither reek of state nor land ? 

Ellen, thy hand — the ring is thine : 

Each guard and usher knows the sign. 

Seek: thou the King without delay: 

This "signet shall secure thy way : 

And °claim thy suit, whate'er it be, 

As ransom of his pledge to me." 

He placed the golden circlet on. 4 So 

Paused — kissed her hand — and then was gone. 

The a^ed Minstrel stool aghast. 

So hastily Eitz-Jame, shot" past. 

He joined his guide, and wenliiig down 

The ridges of the mountain brown, 

Across the stream they took their way 

That joins Loch Katrine to Achray. 



xx 

All in the Trosachs' glen was still, 

Noontide was sleeping on the hill : 

Sudden his guide whooped loud and high — 490 

" Murdoch ! was that a signal cry ? n — 

He stammered forth. " I shout to scare 

Yon raven from his dainty fare." 

He looked — he knew the raven's prey. 

His own brave steed : ••' All ! gallant 

For thee — for me. perchance — 'twere well 

We ne'er had seen the Trosachs 1 dell. — 

Murdoch, move first — but silently: 

Whistle or whoop, and thou shalt die ! " 

Jealous and sullen on they "far- 500 

Each silent, each upon his guard. 



Canto IV.] THE PROPHECY 101 



XXI 

Now wound the path its dizzy ledge 

Around a precipice's edge, 

When lo ! a wasted female form, 

Blighted by wrath of sun and storm, 

In tattered °weeds and wild array, 

Stood on a cliff beside the way, 

And °glancing round her restless eye, 

Upon the wood, the rock, the sky, 

Seemed naught to mark, yet all to spy. 510 

Her brow was wreathed with gaudy broom ; 

With gesture wild she waved a plume 

Of feathers, which the eagles fling 

To crag and cliff from dusky wing ; 

Such spoils her desperate step had sought, 

Where scarce was footing for the goat. 

The tartan plaid she first descried, 

And shrieked till all the rocks replied ; 

As loud she laughed when near they drew, 

For then the Lowland garb she knew ; 520 

And then her hands she wildly wrung, 

And then she wept, and then she sung — 

She sung ! — the voice, in better time, 

Perchance to harp or lute might chime ; 

And now, though strained and roughened, still 

Rung wildly sweet to dale and hill. 

XXII 

SONG 

They bid me sleep, they bid me pray, 

They say my brain is warped and wrung — 
I cannot sleep on Highland brae, 



102 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto IV. 

I cannot pray in Highland tongue. 530 

But were I now where ° All an glides, 
Or heard my native °Devan's tides, 
So sweetly would I rest, and pray 
That Heaven would close my wintry day ! 
'Twas thus my hair they bade me braid, 

They made me to the church repair ; 
It was my bridal morn they said, 

And my true love would meet me there. 
But woe betide the cruel guile 
That drowned in blood the morning smile ! 540 

And woe betide the fairy dream ! 
I only waked to sob and scream. 

XXIII 

" Who is this maid ? what means her lay ? 

She hovers o'er the hollow way, 

And nutters wide her mantle gray, 

As the lone heron spreads his wing, 

By twilight, o'er a haunted spring." 

" 'Tis Blanche of Devan," Murdoch said, 

" A crazed and captive Lowland maid, 

Ta'en on the morn she was a bride, 550 

When Boderick forayed Devan-side. 

The gay bridegroom resistance made, 

And felt our Chief's unconquered blade. 

I marvel she is now at large, 

But oft she 'scapes from °Maudlin's charge. — 

Hence, brain-sick fool ! " — He raised his bow : — 

" Xow, if thou strik'st her but one blow, 

I'll pitch thee from the cliff as far 

As ever peasant °pitched a bar ! " 

"Thanks, champion, thanks!" the Maniac cried, 560 



Canto IV.] THE PROPHECY 103 

And pressed her to Fitz-James's side. 

" See the gray °permons I prepare, 

To seek my true love through the air ! 

I will not lend that savage groom, 

To break his fall, one downy plume ! 

No! — deep amid disjointed stones, 

The wolves shall °batten on his bones, 

And then shall his detested plaid, 

By bush and brier in mid-air stayed, 

Wave forth a banner fair and free, 570 

°Meet signal for their revelry." 

XXIV 

" Hush thee, poor maiden, and be still ! " 
" ! thou look'st kindly, and I will. 
Mine eye has dried and wasted been, 
But still it loves the Lincoln green ; 
And, though mine ear is all unstrung, 
Still, still it loves the Lowland tongue. 

" For my sweet William was forester true, 
He stole poor Blanche's heart away ! 

His coat it was all of the greenwood hue, 580 

And so blithely he trilled the Lowland lay ! 

" It was not that I meant to tell . . . 
But thou art wise and guessest well." 
Then, in a low and broken tone, 
And hurried note, the song went on. 
Still on the Clansman fearfully 
She fixed her apprehensive eye, 
Then turned it on the Knight, and then 
Her look glanced wildly o'er the glen. 



104 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto IV. 



XXV 

°" The toils are pitched, and the stakes are set, — 590 

Ever sing merrily, merrily ; 
The bows they bend, and the knives they whet, 

Hunters live so cheerily. 

"It was a stag, a stag of ten, 

Bearing its branches sturdily ; 
He came stately down the glen, — 

Ever sing hardily, hardily. 

"It was there he met with a wounded doe, 

She was bleeding deathfully ; 
She warned him of the toils below, 600 

0, so faithfully, faithfully ! 

" He had an eye, and he could heed, — 

Ever sing warily, warily ; 
He had a foot, and he could speed, — 

Hunters watch so narrowly."' 

XXVI 

Fitz-James's mind was passion-tossed. 

When Ellen's hints and fears were L 

But Murdoch's shout suspicion wrought, 

And Blanche's song conviction brought. 

Not like a stag that spies the snare, 610 

But lion of the hunt aware, 

He waved at once his blade on high, 

" Disclose thy treachery, or die ! M 

Forth at full speed the Clansman fle 

But in his race his bow lie drew. 



Canto IV.] THE PROPHECY 105 

The shaft just grazed Fitz-James's crest, 

And °thrilled in Blanche's faded breast. — 

Murdoch of Alpine ! prove thy speed, 

For ne'er had Alpine's son such need ; 

With heart of fire, and foot of wind, 620 

The fierce avenger is behind ! 

Fate judges of the rapid strife — 

The forfeit death — the prize is life ; 

Thy kindred ambush lies before, 

Close couched upon the heathery moor ; 

Them couldst thou reach ! — it may not be — 

Thine ambushed kin thou ne'er shalt see, 

The fiery Saxon gains on thee ! — 

Eesistless speeds the deadly thrust, 

As lightning strikes the °pine to dust ; 630 

With foot and hand Fitz- James must strain 

Ere he can win his blade again. 

Bent o'er the fallen with falcon eye, 

He grimly smiled to see him die, 

Then slower wended back his way, 

Where the poor maiden bleeding lay. 

XXVII 

She sat beneath the birchen tree, 

Her elbow resting on her knee ; 

She had withdrawn the fatal shaft, 

And gazed on it, and feebly laughed ; 640 

Her wreath of broom and feathers gray, 

°Daggled with blood, beside her lay. 

The Knight to stanch the life-stream tried, — 

" Stranger, it is in vain ! " she cried. 

" This hour of death has given me more 

Of reason's power than years before ; 



106 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto IV. 

For, as these ebbing veins decay, 

My frenzied visions fade away. 

A helpless injured wretch I die, 

And something tells me in thine eye 650 

That thou wert mine avenger born. 

Seest thou this tress ? — 0, still I've worn 

This little tress of yellow hair, 

Through danger, frenzy, and despair ! 

It once was bright and clear as thine, 

But blood and tears have dimmed its shine. 

I will not tell thee when 'twas shred, 

Nor from what guiltless victim's head, — 

My brain would turn ! — but it shall wave 

Like plumage on thy helmet brave, 660 

Till sun and wind shall bleach the stain, 

And thou wilt bring it me again. 

I waver still. — God ! more bright 

Let reason beam her parting light ! — 

O, by thy knighthood's honored sign, 

And for thy life preserved by mine, 

When thou shalt see a darksome man, 

Who boasts him Chief of Alpine's Clan, 

With tartans broad and shadowy plume, 

And hand of blood, and brow of gloom, 670 

Be thy heart bold, thy weapon strong, 

And wreak poor Blanche of De van's wrong ! — 

They watch for thee by pass and fell . . . 

Avoid the path ... God ! . . . farewell." 

XXVIII 

A kindly heart had brave Fitz-James ; 
Fast poured his eyes at pity's claims ; 
And now, with mingled grief and ire, 



Canto IV.] THE PROPHECY 107 

He saw the murdered maid expire. 

" God, in my need, be my relief, 

As I wreak this on yonder Chief ! " 680 

A lock from Blanche's tresses fair 

He blended with her bridegroom's hair ; 

The mingled braid in blood he dyed, 

And placed it on his bonnet-side : 

" By Him whose word is truth, I swear, 

No other °f avor will I wear, 

Till this sad token I °imbrue 

In the best blood of Roderick Dhu ! — 

But hark ! what means yon faint halloo ? 

The chase is up, — but they shall know, 690 

The stag at bay's a dangerous foe." 

Barred from the known but guarded way, 

Through copse and cliffs Fitz-James must stray, 

And oft must change his desperate track, 

By stream and precipice turned back. 

Heartless, fatigued, and faint, at length, 

From lack of food and loss of strength, 

He couched him in a thicket °hoar, 

And thought his toils and perils o'er : — 

" Of all my rash adventures past, 700 

This frantic feat must prove the last ! 

Who e'er so mad but might have guessed 

That all this Highland hornet's nest 

Would muster up in swarms so soon 

As e'er they heard of bands at Doune ? — 

Like bloodhounds now they search me out, — 

Hark, to the whistle and the shout ! — 

If farther through the wilds I go, 

I only fall upon the foe : 

I'll couch me here till evening gray, 710 

Then darkling try my dangerous way." 



108 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto IV. 



XXIX 

The shades of eve come slowly down, 

The woods are wrapt in deeper brown, 

The owl awakens from her dell, 

The fox is heard upon the fell ; 

Enough remains of glimmering light 

To guide the wanderer's steps aright, 

Yet not enough from far to show 

His figure to the watchful foe. 

With cautious step and ear awake, 720 

He climbs the crag and threads the brake ; 

And not the °summer solstice there 

Tempered the midnight mountain air, 

But every breeze that swept the wold 

Benumbed his drenched limbs with cold. 

In dread, in clanger, and alone, 

Famished and chilled, through ways unknown, 

Tangled and steep, he journeyed on ; 

Till, as a rock's huge point he turned, 

A watch-fire close before him burned. 730 

XXX 

Beside its embers red and clear, 

Basked in his plaid a mountaineer ; 

And up he sprung with sword in hand, — 

°" Thy name and purpose ! Saxon, stand ! n 

" A stranger." " What dost thou require ? n 

" Rest and a guide, and food and fire. 

My life's beset, my path is lost, 

The gale has chilled my limbs with frost." 

" Art thou a friend to Roderick ? " " No." 

" Thou dar'st not call thyself a foe ? " 740 



Canto IV.] THE PROPHECY 109 

" I dare ! to him and all the band 

He brings to aid his murderous hand." 

" Bold words ! — but, though the beast of game 

The °privilege of chase may claim, 

Though space and law the stag we lend, 

Ere hound we slip or bow we bend, 

Who ever recked, where, how, or when, 

The prowling fox was trapped or slain ? 

Thus treacherous scouts, — yet sure they lie, 

Who say thou cam'st a secret spy ! " — 750 

" They do, by heaven ! — come Roderick Dhu, 

And of his clan the boldest two, 

And let me but till morning rest, 

I write the falsehood on their crest." 

" If by the blaze I mark aright, 

Thou bear'st the belt and spur of Knight." 

"Then by these tokens mayst thou know 

Each proud oppressor's mortal foe." 

" Enough, enough ; sit down and share 

A soldier's couch, a soldier's fare." 760 

XXXI 

He gave him of his Highland cheer, 

The hardened flesh of mountain deer ; 

Dry fuel on the fire he laid, 

And bade the Saxon share his plaid. 

He tended him like welcome guest, 

Then thus his further speech addressed : — 

" Stranger, I am to Roderick Dhu 

A clansman born, a kinsman true ; 

Each word against his honor spoke 

Demands of me avenging stroke ; 770 

Yet more, — upon thy fate, 'tis said. 



110 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto IV. 

A mighty augury is laid. 

It rests with, me to wind my horn, — 

Thou art with numbers overborne ; 

It rests with me, here, brand to brand, 

Worn as thou art, to bid thee stand : 

But, not for clan, nor kindred's cause, 

Will I depart from honor's laws ; 

To assail a wearied man were shame, 

And °stranger is a holy name ; 780 

Guidance and rest, and food and fire, 

In vain he never must require. 

Then rest thee here till dawn of day ; 

Myself will guide thee on the way, 

O'er stock and stone, through watch and ward, 

Till past Clan- Alpine's outmost guard, 

As far as °Coilantogle's ford ; 

From thence thy warrant is thy sword." 

" I take thy courtesy, by heaven, 

As freely as 'tis nobly given ! " 790 

" Well, rest thee ; for the bittern's cry 

Sings us the lake's wild lullaby." 

With that he shook the gathered heath, 

And spread his plaid upon the wreath ; 

And the brave foemen, side by side, 

Lay peaceful down like brothers tried, 

And slept until the dawning beam 

purpled the mountain and the stream. 



CANTO FIFTH 

THE COMBAT 



Fair as the earliest beam of eastern light, 

When first, by the bewildered °pilgrim spied, 
It smiles upon the dreary brow of night, 

And silvers o'er the torrent's foaming tide, 
And lights the fearful path on mountain-side, — 

Fair as that beam, although the fairest farj 
Giving to horror grace, to danger pride, 

Shine °martial Faith, and Courtesy's bright star, 
Through all the wreckful storms that cloud the brow of 
War. 

ii 

That early beam, so fair and sheen, 10 

Was twinkling through the hazel screen, 
When, rousing at its glimmer red, 
The warriors left their lowly bed, 
Looked out upon the °dappled sky, 
Muttered their soldier matins by, 
And then awaked their fire, to steal, 
As short and rude, their soldier meal. 
That o'er, the Gael around him threw 
His graceful plaid of varied hue, 
And, true to promise, led the way, 20 

111 



112 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto V. 

By thicket green and mountain gray. 

A wildering path ! — they winded now 

Along the precipice's brow, 

Commanding the rich scenes beneath, 

The windings of the Forth and Teith, 

And all the vales between that lie, 

Till Stirling's turrets melt in sky ; 

Then, sunk in copse, their farthest glance 

Gained not the length of horseman's lance. 

'Twas oft so steep, the foot was fain 30 

Assistance from the hand to gain ; 

So tangled oft that, bursting through, 

Each hawthorn shed her showers of dew, — 

°That diamond dew, so pure and clear, 

It rivals all but Beauty's tear ! 



in 

At length they came where, stern and steep, 

The hill sinks down upon the deep. 

Here Vennachar in silver flows, 

There, ridge on ridge, Benledi rose ; 

Ever the hollow path twined on, 40 

Beneath steep bank and threatening stone ; 

A hundred men might hold the post 

With hardihood against a host. 

°The rugged mountain's scanty cloak 

Was dwarfish shrubs of birch and oak, 

With °shingles bare, and cliffs between, 

And patches bright of bracken green, 

And heather black, that waved so high, 

It held the copse in rivalry. 

But where the lake slept deep and still, 50 



Canto V.] THE COMBAT 113 

Dank osiers fringed the swamp and hill ; 

And oft both path and hill were torn, 

Where wintry torrent down had borne, 

And heaped npon the cumbered land 

Its wreck of gravel, rocks, and sand. 

So toilsome was the road to trace, 

The guide, abating of his pace, 

Led slowly through the pass's jaws, 

And asked Fitz-James by what strange cause 

He sought these wilds, traversed by few, 60 

Without a pass from Roderick Dhu. 



IV 

" Brave Gael, my pass, in danger tried, 

Hangs in my belt and by my side ; 

Yet, °sooth to tell," the Saxon said, 

" I dreamt not now to claim its aid. 

When here, but three days since, I came, 

Bewildered in pursuit of game, 

All seemed as peaceful and as still 

As the mist slumbering on yon hill ; 

Thy dangerous Chief was then afar, 7o 

Nor soon expected back from war. 

Thus said, at least, my mountain-guide, 

Though deep perchance the villain lied." 

" Yet why a second venture try ? " 

" A warrior thou, and ask me why ! — 

Moves our free course by such fixed cause 

As gives the poor ^mechanic laws ? 

Enough, I sought to drive away 

The lazy hours of peaceful day; 

Slight cause will then suffice to guide 80 



114 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto V. 

A Knight's free footsteps far and wide, — 
A falcon flown, a greyhound strayed, 
The merry glance of mountain maid ; 
Or, if a path be dangerous known, 
°The danger's self is lure alone." 



°" Thy .secret keep, I urge thee not ; — 

Yet, ere again ye sought this spot, 

Say, heard ye naught of Lowland war, 

Against Clan- Alpine, raised by Mar ? " 

" No, by my word ; — of bands prepared 90 

To guard King James's sports I heard ; 

Nor doubt I aught, but, when they hear 

This muster of the mountaineer, 

Their pennons will abroad be flung, 

Which else in Doune had peaceful hung." 

" Free be they flung ! for we were loath 

Their silken folds should feast the moth. 

Free be they flung ! — as free shall wave 

Clan-Alpine's pine in banner brave. 

But, stranger, peaceful since you came, 100 

Bewildered in the mountain-game, 

Whence the bold boast by which you show 

Vich- Alpine's vowed and mortal foe ? " 

" Warrior, but yester-morn I knew 

Naught of thy Chieftain, Eoderick Dhu, 

Save as an outlawed desperate man, 

The chief of a rebellious clan, 

Who, in the °Eegent's court and sight, 

With ruffian dagger stabbed a knight ; 

Yet this alone might from his part no 

Sever each true and loyal heart." 



Canto V.] THE COMBAT 115 



VI 

Wrathful at such arraignment foul. 

Dark lowered the clansman's sable scowL 

A space he paused, then sternly said, 

" And heardst thou why he drew his blade ? 

Heardst thou that shameful word and blow 

Brought Koderick's vengeance on his foe ? 

What recked the Chieftain if he stood 

On Highland heath or °Holy-Eood ? 

He rights such wrong where it is given, 120 

If it were in the court of heaven." 

" Still was it outrage ; — yet, 'tis true, 

Not then claimed sovereignty his due ; 

While Albany with feeble hand 

Held borrowed °truncheon of command, 

The young King, °mewed in Stirling tower, 

Was stranger to respect and power. 

But then, thy Chieftain's robber life ! — 

Winning mean prey by causeless strife, 

Wrenching from ruined Lowland swain 130 

His herds and harvest reared in vain, — 

Methinks a soul like thine should scorn 

The spoils from such foul foray borne." 

VII 

The Gael beheld him grim the while, 

And answered with disdainful smile : 

" Saxon, from yonder mountain high, 

I marked thee send delighted eye 

Far to the south and east, where lay, 

Extended in succession gay, 

Deep waving fields and pastures green, 140 



116 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto V. 

With gentle slopes and groves between : — 

These fertile plains, that softened vale, 

Were once the birthright of the Gael ; 

The stranger came with iron hand, 

And from our fathers reft the land. 

Where dwell we now ? See, rudely swell 

Crag over crag, and fell o'er fell. 

Ask we this savage hill we tread 

For fattened steer or household bread, 

Ask we for flocks these shingles dry, 150 

And well the mountain might reply, — 

i To you, as to your sires of yore, 

Belong the °target and claymore ! 

I give you shelter in my breast, 

Your own good blades must win the rest.' 

Pent in this fortress of the North, 

Think'st thou we will not sally forth, 

To spoil the spoiler as we may, 

And from the robber rend the prey ? 

Ay, by my soul ! — While on yon plain 160 

The Saxon rears one shock of grain, 

While of ten thousand herds there strays 

But one along yon river's maze, — 

The Gael, of plain and river heir, 

Shall with strong hand redeem his share. 

Where live the mountain Chiefs who hold 

That plundering Lowland field and fold 

Is aught but retribution true ? 

°Seek other cause 'gainst Roderick Dhu." 



VIII 

Answered Fitz-James : "And, if I sought, 170 

Think'st thou no other could be brought ? 



Canto V.] THE COMBAT 117 

What deem ye of my path waylaid ? 

My life given o'er to ambuscade ? " 

" As of a meed to rashness due : 

Hadst thou sent warning fair and true, — 

°I seek my hound or falcon strayed, 

°I seek, good faith, a Highland maid, — 

Free hadst thou been to come and go ; 

But secret path marks secret foe. 

Nor yet for this, even as a spy, 180 

Hadst thou, unheard, been doomed to die, 

Save to fulfil an augury." 

" Well, let it pass ; nor will I now 

Fresh cause of enmity avow, 

To chafe thy mood and cloud thy brow. 

Enough, I am by promise tied 

To match me with this man of pride : 

Twice have I sought Clan-Alpine's glen 

In peace ; but when I come again, 

I come with banner, brand, and bow, 190 

As leader seeks his mortal foe. 

For love-lorn swain in lady's bower 

Ne'er panted for the appointed hour, 

As I, until before me stand 

This rebel Chieftain and his band ! " 



IX 



°"Have then thy wish ! " — He whistled shrill, 
And he was answered from the hill ; 
Wild as the scream of the curlew, 
From crag to crag the signal flew. 
Instant, through copse and heath, arose 
Bonnets and spears and bended bows ; 



118 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto V. 

On right, on left, above, below, 

Sprung up at once the lurking foe ; 

From shingles gray their lances start, 

TEe bracken bush sends forth the dart, 

The rushes and the willow-wand 

Are bristling into axe and brand, 

And every tuft of broom gives life 

To plaided warrior armed for strife. 

That whistle garrisoned the glen 210 

At once with full five hundred men, 

As if the yawning hill to heaven 

A subterranean host had given. 

Watching their leader's beck and will, 

All silent there they stood and still. 

Like the loose crags whose threatening mass 

Lay tottering o'er the hollow pass, 

As if an infant's touch could urge 

Their headlong passage down the verge, 

With step and weapon forward flung, 220 

Upon the mountain-side they hung. 

The Mountaineer cast glance of pride 

Along Benledi's living side, 

Then fixed his eye and sable brow 

Full on Fitz-James : " How say'st thou now ? 

These are Clan-Alpine's warriors true ; 

And, Saxon, — I am Roderick Dhu! " 



Fitz-James was brave : — though to his heart 
The life-blood thrilled with sudden start, 
He °manned himself with dauntless air, 230 

Returned the Chief his haughty stare, 



Canto V.] THE COMBAT 119 

His back against a rock he bore, 

And firmly placed his foot before : — 

" Come one, come all ! this rock shall fly 

From its firm base as soon as I." 

Sir Roderick marked, — and in his eyes 

Respect was mingled with surprise, 

And the stern joy which warriors feel 

In foeman worthy of their steel. 

Short space he stood — then waved his hand : 240 

Down sunk the disappearing band ; 

Each warrior vanished where he stood, 

In broom or bracken, heath or wood ; 

Sunk brand and spear and bended bow, 

In osiers pale and copses low ; 

°It seemed as if their mother Earth 

Had swallowed up her warlike birth. 

The wind's last breath had tossed in air 

Pennon and plaid and plumage fair, — 

The next but swept a lone hill-side, 250 

Where heath and fern were waving wide : 

The sun's last glance was glinted back 

From spear and glaive, from targe and °jack, — 

The next, all unreflected, shone 

On bracken green and cold gray stone. 



XI 

Fitz-James looked round, — yet scarce believed 

The witness that his sight received; 

Such apparition well might seem 

Delusion of a dreadful dream. 

Sir Roderick in suspense he eyed, 260 

And to his look the Chief replied: 



120 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto V. 

" Fear naught — °nay, that I need not say — 

But — doubt not aught from mine array. 

Thou art my guest ; — I pledged my word 

As far as Coilantogle ford : 

Nor would I call a clansman's brand 

For aid against one valiaut hand, 

Though on our strife lay every vale 

Rent by the Saxon from the Gael. 

So move we on ; — °I only meant 270 

To show the reed on which you leant, 

Deeming this path you might pursue 

Without a pass from Roderick Dhu." 

They moved ; — I said Fitz- James was brave 

As ever knight that belted glaive, 

Yet dare not say that now his blood 

Kept on its wont and tempered °flood, 

As, following Roderick's stride, he drew 

That seeming lonesome pathway through, 

Which yet by fearful proof was rife 280 

With lances, that, to take his life, 

Waited but signal from a guide, 

So late dishonored and defied. 

Ever, by stealth, his eye sought round 

The vanished guardians of the ground, 

And still from copse and heather deep 

Fancy saw spear and broadsword peep, 

And in the plover's shrilly strain 

The signal whistle heard again. 

Nor breathed he free till far behind 290 

The pass was left ; for then they wind 

Along a wide and level green, 

Where neither tree nor tuft was seen, 

Nor rush nor bush of broom was near, 

To hide a bonnet or a spear. 



Canto V.] THE COMBAT 121 



XII 

The Chief in silence strode before, 

And reached that torrent's sounding shore, 

Which, daughter of °three mighty lakes, 

From Vennachar in silver breaks, 

Sweeps through the- plain, and ceaseless mines 300 

On Bochastle the °mouldering lines, 

Where Eome, the Empress of the world, 

Of yore her eagle wings unfurled. 

And here his course the Chieftain stayed, 

Threw down his target and his plaid, 

And to the Lowland warrior said : 

"Bold Saxon ! to his promise just, 

Vich- Alpine has discharged his trust. 

This °murderous Chief, this ruthless man, 

This head of a rebellious clan, 310 

Hath led thee safe, through watch and ward, 

Far past Clan-Alpine's outmost guard. 

Now, man to man, and steel to steel, 

A Chieftain's vengeance thou shalt feel. 

See, here all vantageless I stand, 

Armed like thyself with single brand ; 

For this is Coilantogle ford, 

And thou must keep thee with thy sword." 

XIII 

The Saxon paused : " I ne'er delayed, 

When foeman bade me draw my blade ; 320 

Nay more, brave Chief, I vowed thy death ; 

Yet sure thy fair and generous faith, 

And my deep debt for life preserved, 

A better meed have well deserved : 



122 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto V. 

Can naught but blood our feud atone ? 

Are there no means ? " — " No, stranger, none ! 

And hear, — to fire thy flagging zeal, — 

The Saxon cause rests on thy steel ; 

°For thus spoke Fate by prophet bred 

Between the living and the dead : 330 

' Who spills the foremost foeman's life, 

His party conquers in the strife.' " 

" Then, by my word," the Saxon said, 

" The riddle is already °read. 

Seek yonder brake beneath the cliff, — 

There lies Red Murdoch, °stark and stiff. 

Thus Fate hath solved her prophecy ; 

Then yield to Fate, and not to me. 

To James at Stirling let us go, 

When, if thou wilt be still his foe, 340 

Or if the King shall not agree 

To grant thee grace and favor free, 

I plight mine honor, oath, and word 

That, to thy native strengths restored, 

With each advantage shalt thou stand 

That aids thee now to guard thy land." 



XIV 

Dark lightning flashed from Roderick's eye : 

" Soars thy presumption, then, so high, 

Because a wretched kern ye slew, 

Homage to name to Roderick Dhu ? 350 

He yields not, he, to man nor Fate ! 

Thou add'st but fuel to my hate ; — 

My clansman's blood demands revenge. 

Not yet prepared ? — By heaven, I change 

My thought, and hold thy valor light 



Canto V.] THE COMBAT 123 

As that of some vain °carpet knight, 

Who ill deserved my courteous care, 

And whose best boast is but to wear 

A braid of his fair lady's hair." 

" I thank thee, Roderick, for the word ! 360 

It nerves my heart, it steels my sword ; 

For I have sworn this braid to stain 

In the best blood that warms thy vein. 

°Now, truce, farewell ! and, ruth, begone ! — 

Yet think not that by thee alone, 

Proud Chief ! can courtesy be shown ; 

Though not from copse, or heath, or cairn, 

Start at my whistle clansmen stern, 

Of this small horn one feeble blast 

Would fearful odds against thee cast. 370 

But fear not — doubt not — which thou wilt — 

We try this quarrel hilt to hilt." 

Then each at once his falchion drew, 

Each on the ground his scabbard threw, 

Each looked to sun and stream and plain 

As what they ne'er might see again ; 

Then foot and point and eye opposed, 

In °dubious strife they darkly closed. 

xv 

111 fared it then with "Roderick Dhu, 

That on the field his targe he threw, 380 

Whose brazen studs and tough bull-hide 

Had death so often dashed aside ; 

For, °trained abroad his arms to wield, 

Fitz-James's blade was sword and shield. 

He practised every pass and ward, 

To thrust, to strike, to feint, to guard ; 



124 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto V. 

While less expert, though stronger far, 

The Gael maintained unequal war. 

Three times in closing strife they stood, 

°And thrice the Saxon blade drank blood ; 390 

No stinted draught, no scanty tide, 

The gushing flood the tartans dyed. 

Fierce Roderick felt the fatal drain, 

And showered his blows like wintry rain ; 

And, as firm rock or castle-roof 

Against the winter shower is proof, 

The foe, invulnerable still, 

Foiled his wild rage by steady skill ; 

Till, at advantage ta'en, his brand 

Forced Roderick's weapon from his hand, 400 

And backward borne upon the lea, 

Brought the proud Chieftain to his knee. 



XVI j 

" Now yield thee, or by Him who made 

The world, thy heart's blood dyes my blade ! " 

" Thy threats, thy mercy, I defy ! 

Let °recreant yield, who fears to die." 

Like adder darting from his coil, 

Like wolf that dashes through the °toil, 

Like mountain-cat who guards her young, 

Full at Fitz- James's throat he sprung ; 410 

Received, but recked not of a wound, 

And locked his arms his foeman round. — 

Now, gallant Saxon, hold thine own ! 

No maiden's hand is round thee thrown ! 

That desperate grasp thy frame might feel 

Through bars of brass and triple steel ! 

They tug, they strain ! down, down they go, 



Canto V.] THE COMBAT 125 

The Gael above, Fitz-James below. 

The Chieftain's gripe his throat compressed, 

His knee was planted on his breast ; 420 

His clotted locks he backward threw, 

Across his brow his hand he drew, 

From blood and mist to clear his sight, 

Then gleamed aloft his °dagger bright ! 

But hate and fury ill supplied 

The stream of life's exhausted tide, 

And all too late the advantage came, 

To turn the odds of deadly game ; 

For, while the dagger gleamed on high, 

Reeled soul and sense, reeled brain and eye. 430 

Down came the blow ! but in the heath 

The erring blade found bloodless sheath. 

The struggling foe may now unclasp 

The fainting Chief's relaxing grasp ; 

Unwounded from the dreadful close, 

But breathless all, Fitz-James arose. 



XVII 

He faltered thanks to Heaven for life, 

Redeemed, unhoped, from desperate strife; 

Next on his foe his look he cast, 

Whose every gasp appeared his last ; 440 

In Roderick's gore he dipped the braid, — 

" Poor Blanche ! thy wrongs are dearly paid ; 

°Yet with thy foe must die, or live, 

The praise that faith and valor give." 

With that he blew a bugle note, 

Undid the collar from his throat, 

Unbonneted, and by the wave 

Sat down his brow and hands to lave. 



126 THE LADY OF THE LAI CamoV. 

Then faint afar are heard the feet 

Of rushing steeds in gallop fleet; ■- 

The sounds increase, and now are seen 

Four mounted "squires in Lincoln green ; 

Two who bear lance, and two who lead 

By loosened rein a saddled steed ; 

Each onward held his headlong course, 

And by Fitz- James reined up his horse, — 

With wonder viewed the bloody spot, — 

"Exclaim not. gallants |ues v: n d :. — 

Yon, Herbert and Luffness, alight. 

And bind the wounds of yonder knight; -: 

Let the gray palfrey bear his weight, 

We destined for a °fairer freight, 

And bring him on to Stirling straight ; 

I will before at better speed, 

T seek fresh horse and fitting weed. 

The sun rides high; — I must be °boune 

To see the archer-game at noon; 

But lightly Bayard clears the lea. — 

Fe Vaux and Hemes, follow me. 



xvni 

: " Stand, Bayard, stand ! " — the steed obeyed, 470 

With arching neck and bended head. 

And glancing eye and quivering ear, 

As :: he loved his lord to hear. 

No foot Fitz-James in stirrup stayed, 

No grasp upon the saddle la: 

But :-athed his left hand in the mane. 

And lightly bounded from the plain, 

Turned on the horse his armed heel, 

And stirred his courage with the steeL 



Canto V.] THE COMBAT 127 

Bounded the fiery steed in air, 480 

The rider sat erect and fair, 

Then like a bolt from steel crossbow 

Forth launched, along the plain they go. 

They dashed that rapid torrent through, 

And up Carhonie's hill they flew ; 

Still at the gallop °pricked the Knight, 

His merry inen followed as they might. 

Along thy banks, swift Teith ! they ride, 

And in the race they mock thy tide ; 

Torry and Lendrick now are past, 490 

And Deanstown lies behind them cast ; 

They rise, the bannered towers of Doune, 

They sink in distant woodland soon ; 

Blair-Drummond sees the hoofs strike fire, 

They sweep like breeze through Ochtertyre ; 

They °mark just glance and disappear 

The lofty brow of ancient Kier ; 

They bathe their coursers 7 sweltering sides, 

Dark Forth ! amid thy sluggish tides, 

And on the opposing shore take ground, 500 

With plash, with scramble, and with bound. 

Eight-hand they leave thy cliffs, Craig-Forth ! 

And soon the bulwark of the North, 

Gray Stirling, with her towers and town, 

Upon their fleet career looked down. 



XIX 

As up the flinty path they strained, 

Sudden his steed the leader reined ; 

A signal to his squire he flung, 

Who instant to °his stirrup sprung : — 

"Seest thou, I)e Vaux, yon woodsman gray, 510 



128 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto V. 

Who town ward holds the rocky way, 

Of stature tall and poor array ? 

Mark'st thou the firm, yet active stride, 

With which he scales the mountain-side ? 

Know'st thou from whence he comes, or whom ? " 

"ISTo, by my word; — a burly groom 

He seems, who in the field or chase 

A baron's train would nobly grace — " 

" Out, out, De Vaux ! can fear supply, 

And jealousy, no sharper eye ? 520 

Afar, ere to the hill he drew, 

That stately form and step I knew ; 

Like form in Scotland is not seen, 

Treads not such step on Scottish green. 

'Tis James of Douglas, by °Saint Serle ! 

The uncle of the banished Earl. 

Away, away, to court, to show 

The near approach of dreaded foe : 

The King must stand upon his guard ; 

Douglas and he must meet prepared." 530 

Then right-hand wheeled their steeds, and straight 

They won the Castle's °postern gate. 



xx 

°The Douglas, who had bent his way 

From Cambus-kenneth's abbey gray, 

Now, as he climbed the rocky shelf, 

Held sad communion with himself : — 

" Yes ! all is true my fears could frame ; 

A prisoner lies the noble Graeme, 

And fiery Eoderick soon will feel 

The vengeance of the royal steel. 540 

I, only I, can ward their fate, — 



Canto V.] THE COMBAT 129 

God grant the ransom come not late ! 

The Abbess hath her promise given, 

My child shall be the °bride of Heaven ; — 

Be pardoned one repining tear ! 

For He who gave her knows how dear, 

How excellent ! — but that is by, 

And now my business is — to die. — 

Ye towers ! within whose circuit dread 

A Douglas by his sovereign bled ; 550 

And thou, sad and °fatal mound ! 

That oft hast heard the death-axe sound, 

As on the noblest of the land 

Fell the stern headsman's bloody hand, — 

The dungeon, block, and nameless tomb 

Prepare — for Douglas seeks his doom! 

But hark ! what blithe and jolly peal 

Makes the °Franciscan steeple reel ? 

And see ! upon the crowded street, 

In motley groups what masquers meet ! 560 

Banner and pageant, pipe and drum, 

And merry °morrice-dancers come. 

I guess, by all this quaint array. 

The burghers hold their sports to-day. 

James will be there ; he loves such show, 

Where the good yeoman bends his bow, 

And the tough wrestler foils his foe, 

As well as where, in proud career, 

The high-born tilter shivers spear. 

I'll follow to the Castle-park, 570 

And play my prize; — King James shall mark 

If age has tamed these sinews stark, 

Whose force so oft in happier days 

His boyish wonder loved to praise." 



130 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE 



[Canto V. 



xxi 

The Castle gates were open flung, 

The quivering drawbridge rocked and rung, 

And echoed loud the flinty street 

Beneath the coursers' clattering feet, 

As slowly down the steep descent 

Fair Scotland's King and nobles went, 580 

While all along the crowded way 

Was jubilee and loud huzza. 

°And ever James was bending low 

To his white jennet's saddle-bow, 

Doffing his cap to city dame, 

Who smiled and blushed for pride and shame. 

And well the simperer might be vain, — 

He chose the fairest of the train. 

Gravely he greets each city sire, 

Commends each pageant's quaint attire, 590 

Gives to the dancers thanks aloud, 

And smiles and nods upon the crowd, 

Who rend the heavens with their acclaims, — 

"Long live the Commons' King, King James ! " 

Behind the King thronged peer and knight, 

And noble dame and damsel bright, 

Whose fiery steeds ill brooked the stay 

Of the steep street and crowded way. 

But in the train you might discern 

Dark lowering brow and visage stern ; 600 

There nobles mourned their pride restrained, 

And the °mean burgher's joys disdained ; 

And chiefs, who, hostage for their clan, 

Were each from home a banished man, 

There thought upon their own gray tower, 

Their waving woods, their °feudal power, 



Canto V.] THE COMBAT 131 

And deemed themselves a shameful part 
Of pageant which they cursed in heart. 



XXII 

Now, in the Castle-park, drew out 

Their Checkered bands the joyous rout. 610 

There morricers, with °bell at heel 

And blade in hand, their mazes wheel ; 

But chief, beside the °butts, there stand 

Bold °Eobin Hood and all his band, — 

Friar Tuck with quarterstaff and cowl, 

Old Scathelocke with his surly scowl, 

Maid Marian, fair as ivory bone, 

Scarlet, and Mutch, and Little John ; 

Their bugles challenge all that will, 

In archery to prove their skill. 620 

The Douglas bent a bow of might, — 

His first shaft centred in the white, 

And when in turn he shot again, 

His second split the first in twain. 

From the King's hand must Douglas take 

A silver dart, the archers' stake ; 

Fondly he watched, with watery eye, 

Some answering glance of sympathy, — 

No kind emotion made reply ! 

Indifferent as to archer ° wight, 630 

The monarch gave the arrow bright. 



XXIII 

Now, clear the ring! for, hand to hand, 
°The manly wrestlers take their stand. 



132 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto V. 

Two o'er the rest superior rose, 

And proud demanded mightier foes, — 

Nor called in vain, for Douglas came. — 

For life is Hugh of Larbert lame ; 

Scarce better John of Alloa's °fare, 

Whom senseless home his comrades bare. 

Prize of the wrestling match, the King 6^o 

To Douglas gave a °golden ring, 

While coldly glanced his eye of blue, 

As frozen drop of wintry dew. 

Douglas would speak, but in his breast 

His struggling soul his words suppressed ; 

Indignant then he turned him where 

Their arms the brawny yeomen bare, 

To hurl the massive bar in air. 

When each his utmost strength had shown, 

The Douglas rent an earth-fast stone 650 

From its deep bed, then heaved it high, 

And sent the fragment through the sky 

A °rood beyond the farthest mark ; 

And still in Stirling's royal park, 

The gray-haired sires, who know the past, 

To strangers point the Douglas cast, 

And moralize on the decay 

Of Scottish strength in modern (Jay. 



XXIV 

The vale with loud applauses rang, 

The °Ladies' Rock sent back the clang. 660 

The King, with look unmoved, bestowed 

A purse well filled with pieces broad. 

Indignant smiled the Douglas proud, 






Canto V.] THE COMBAT 133 

And threw the gold among the crowd, 

Who now with anxious wonder scan, 

And sharper glance, the dark gray man ; 

Till whispers rose among the throng, 

That heart so free, and hand so strong, 

Must to the Douglas blood belong. 

The old men marked and shook the head, 670 

To see his hair with silver spread, 

And winked aside, and told each son 

Of feats upon the English done, 

Ere Douglas of the stalwart hand 

Was exiled from his native land. 

The women praised his stately form, 

Though wrecked by many a winter's storm ; 

The youth with awe and wonder saw 

His strength surpassing Nature's law. 

°Thus judged, as is their wont, the crowd, 680 

Till murmurs rose to clamors loud. 

But not a glance from that proud ring 

Of peers who circled round the King 

With Douglas held communion kind, 

Or called the banished man to mind ; 

No, not from those who at the chase 

Once held his side the honored place, 

Begirt his board, and in the field 

Found safety underneath his shield ; 

For he whom royal eyes disown, 690 

When was his form to courtiers known ! 



XXV 

The Monarch saw the °gambols flag, 
And bade let loose a gallant stag, 



134 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto V. 

Whose pride, the holiday to crown, 

Two favorite greyhounds should pull down, 

That venison free and Bourdeaux wine 

Might serve the archery to dine. 

But Luf ra, — - whom from Douglas' side 

Nor bribe nor threat could e'er divide, 

The fleetest hound in all the North, — 700 

Brave Lufra saw, and darted forth. 

She left the royal hounds midway, 

And dashing on the antlered prey, 

Sunk her sharp muzzle in his flank, 

And deep the flowing life-blood drank. 

The King's stout huntsman saw the sport 

By strange intruder broken short, 

Came up, and with his leash unbound 

In anger struck the noble hound. 

°The Douglas had endured, that morn, 710 

The King's cold look, the nobles' scorn, 

And last, and worst to spirit proud, 

Had borne the pity of the crowd ; 

But Lufra had been fondly bred, 

To share his board, to watch his bed, 

And oft would Ellen Lufra's neck 

In maiden glee with garlands deck ; 

They were such playmates that with name 

Of Lufra Ellen's image came. 

His stifled wrath is brimming high, 720 

In darkened brow and flashing eye ; 

As waves before the bark divide, 

The crowd gave way before his stride ; 

°Needs but a buffet and no more, 

The groom lies senseless in his gore. 

Such blow no other hand could deal, 

Though gauntleted in glove of steel. 



Canto V.] THE COMBAT 135 



XXVI 

Then clamored loud the royal train, 

And brandished swords and staves amain, 

But stern the Baron's warning : " Back ! 730 

Back, on your lives, ye menial pack ! 

Beware the Douglas. — Yes ! behold, 

King James ! The Douglas, doomed of old, 

And vainly sought for near and far, 

A victim to atone the war, 

A willing victim, now attends, 

Nor craves thy grace but for his friends." — 

" Thus is my clemency repaid ? 

Presumptuous Lord ! " the Monarch said : 

" Of thy °misproud ambitious clan, 740 

Thou, James of Bothwell, wert the man, 

The only man, in whom a foe 

My woman-mercy would not know ; 

But shall a Monarch's presence brook 

Injurious blow and haughty look ? — 

What ho ! the Captain of our Guard ! 

Give the offender fitting °ward. — 

Break off the sports ! " — for tumult rose, 

And yeomen 'gan to bend their bows, — 

" Break off the sports ! " he said and frowned, 750 

"And bid our horsemen clear the ground." 

XXVII 

Then uproar wild and °misarray 
Marred the fair form of festal day. 
The horsemen pricked among the crowd, 
Repelled by threats and insult loud; 
To earth are borne the old and weak, 



136 THE LALY OF THE LAKE [Canto V. 

The timorous fly. the women shriek ; 

With flint, with shaft, with staff, with bar, 

The hardier urge tumultuous war. 

At once round Douglas darkly sweep 760 

The royal spears in circle deep, 

And slowly scale the pathway steep, 

While on the rear in thunder pour 

The rabble with disordered roar. 

With grief the noble Douglas saw 

The Commons rise against the law, 

And to the leading soldier said : 

" Sir John of Hyndf ord, 'twas my blade 

That knighthood on thy shoulder laid ; 

For that good deed permit me then 

A word with these misguided men. — 

XXVIII 

" Hear, gentle friends, ere yet for me 

Ye break the bands of fealty. 

My life, my honor, and my cause, 

I tender free to Scotland's laws. 

Are °these so weak as must require 

The aid of your misguided ire ? 

Or if I suffer causeless wrong, 

Is then my selfish rage so strong, 

My sense of public weal so low, 780 

That, for mean vengeance on a foe, 

Those cords of love I should unbind 

Which knit my country and my °kind ? 

no ! Believe, in yonder tower 

It will not soothe my captive hour, 

To know those spears our foes should dread 

For me in kindred gore are red : 



Canto V.] THE COMBAT 137 

To know, in fruitless brawl begun, 

For me that mother wails her son, 

For me that widow's mate expires, 790 

For me that orphans weep their sires, 

That patriots mourn insulted laws, 

And curse the Douglas for the cause. 

let your patience °ward such ill, 

And keep your right to love me still ! " 

XXIX 

The crowd's wild fury sunk again 

In tears, as tempests melt in rain. 

With lifted hands and eyes, they prayed 

For blessings on his generous head 

Who for his country felt alone, 800 

And prized her blood beyond his own. 

Old men upon the verge of life 

Blessed him who stayed the civil strife ; 

And mothers held their babes on high, 

The self-devoted Chief to spy, 

Triumphant over wrongs and ire, 

To whom the prattlers owed a sire. 

Even the rough soldier's heart was moved ; 

As if behind some bier beloved, 

°With trailing arms and drooping head, gio 

The Douglas up the hill he led, 

And at the Castle's battled verge, 

With sighs resigned his honored charge. 

XXX 

The offended Monarch rode apart, 
With bitter thought and swelling heart, 

And would not now vouchsafe again 



138 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto V. 

Through Stirling streets to lead his train. 

•• Lennox, who would wish to rule 

This changeling crowd, this °common fool ? 

Hear'st thou." he said, ••the loud acclaim 820 

With which they shout the Douglas name ? 

With like acclaim the vulgar throat 

Strained for King James their morning note ; 

With like acclaim they hailed the day 

When first I broke the Douglas sway : 

And like acclaim would Douglas greet 

If he could hurl me from my seat. 

Who o'er the herd would wish to reign, 

Fantastic, fickle, fierce, and vain? 

Wain as the leaf upon the stream, 830 

And fickle as a changeful dream ; 

Fantastic as a woman's mood, 

And fierce as Frenzy's fevered blood. 

Thou many-headed monster-thing. 

who would wish to be thy king ? — 



XXXI 

u But soft ! what messenger of speed 

Spurs hitherward his panting steed ? 

I guess his "cognizance afar — 

What from our cousin. John of Alar ? " 

" He prays, my liege, your sports keep bound 

Within the safe and guarded ground ; 

For some foul purpose yet unknown, — 

Most sure for evil to the throne. — 

The outlawed Chieftain, Eoderick Dhu, 

Has summoned his rebellious crew ; 

'Tis said, in James of BothweiTs aid 

These °loose banditti stand arrayed. 



Canto V.] THE COMBAT 139 

The Earl of Mar this morn from Doune 
To break their muster marched, and soon 
Your Grace will hear of battle fought ; 850 

• But earnestly the Earl besought. 
Till for such danger he provide, 
With scanty train you will not ride." 

XXXII 

" Thou warn'st me I have done amiss, — 

I should have earlier looked to this ; 

I °lost it in this bustling day. — 

Retrace with speed thy former way ; 

Spare not for spoiling of thy steed, 

The best of mine shall be thy meed. 

Say to our faithful Lord of Mar, 860 

We do forbid the intended war ; 

Roderick this morn in single fight 

Was made our prisoner by a knight, 

And Douglas hath himself and cause 

Submitted to our kingdom's laws. 

The tidings of their leaders lost 

Will soon dissolve the mountain host, 

Nor would we that the °vulgar feel, 

For their Chief's crimes, avenging steel. 

Bear Mar our message, Braco, fly ! " 870 

He turned his steed, — " My liege, I hie, 

Yet ere I cross this lily lawn 

I fear the broadswords will be drawn." 

The turf the flying courser spurned, 

And to his towers the King returned. 

XXXIII 

111 with King James's mood that day 
Suited gay feast and minstrel lay ; 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE 



[Canto V. 



Soon were dismissed the courtly throng, 

And soon cut short the festal song. 

ISTor less upon the saddened town 

The evening sunk in sorrow down. 

The burghers spoke of °civil jar, 

Of rumored feuds and mountain war, 

Of Moray, Mar, and Eoderick Dhu, 

All up in arms ; — the Douglas too, 

They mourned him pent within the hold, 

" Where stout °Earl William was of old."— 

And there his word the speaker stayed, 

And finger on his lip he laid, 

Or pointed to his dagger blade. 

But jaded horsemen from the west 

At evening to the Castle pressed, 

And busy talkers said they bore 

Tidings of fight on Katrine's shore ; 

At noon the deadly fray begun, 

And lasted till the set of sun. 

Thus giddy rumor shook the town, 

Till closed the Night her °pennons brown. 



880 



CANTO SIXTH 

THE GUARD-ROOM 



The sun, awakening, through the smoky air 

Of the °dark city casts a sullen glance, 
Eousing each °caitifT to his task of care, 

Of sinful man the sad inheritance ; 
Summoning revellers from the lagging dance, 

Scaring the prowling robber to his den ; 
Gilding on battled tower the warder's lance, 

And warning student pale to leave his pen, 
And yield his drowsy eyes to the °kind nurse of men. 
What various scenes, and 0, what scenes of woe, 10 

Are witnessed by that red and struggling beam ! 
The fevered patient, from his pallet low, 

Through crowded hospital beholds it stream ; 
The ruined maiden trembles at its gleam, 

The debtor wakes to thought of °gyve and jail, 
The love-lorn wretch starts from tormenting dream ; 

The wakeful mother, by the glimmering pale, 
Trims her sick infant's couch, and soothes his feeble wail. 



ii 

At dawn the towers of Stirling rang 
With soldier-step and weapon-clang, 
While drums with rolling note foretell 

141 



142 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto VI. 

Relief to weary sentinel. 

Through narrow loop and casement barred, 

The sunbeams sought the Court of Guard, 

And, struggling with the smoky air, 

Deadened the torches' yellow glare. 

In comfortless alliance shone 

The lights through arch of blackened stone, 

And showed wild shapes in garb of war, 

Faces deformed with beard and scar, 30 

All haggard from the midnight watch, 

And fevered with the stern debauch ; 

For the oak table's massive board, 

Flooded with wine, with fragments stored, 

And beakers drained, and cups o'erthrown, 

Showed in what sport the night had flown. 

Some, weary, snored on floor and bench ; 

Some labored still their thirst to quench ; 

Some, chilled with watching, spread their hands 

O'er the huge chimney's dying brands, 40 

While round them, or beside them flung, 

At every step their °harness rung. 



in 

These drew not for their fields the sword, 

Like tenants of a feudal lord, 

Nor owned the patriarchal claim 

Of Chieftain in their leader's name ; 

°Adventurers they, from far who roved, 

To live by battle which they loved. 

There the Italian's clouded face, 

The swarthy Spaniard's there you trace ; 50 

The mountain-loving Switzer there 

More freely breathed in mountain-air : 



Canto VI.] THE GUARD-ROOM 143 

The °Fleming there despised the soil 

That paid so ill the laborer's toil ; 

Their rolls showed French and German name; 

And merry England's exiles came, 

To share, with ill-concealed disdain, 

Of Scotland's pay the scanty gain. 

All brave in arms, well trained to wield 

The heavy °halberd, brand, and shield ; 60 

In camps licentious, wild, and bold; 

In pillage fierce and uncontrolled ; 

And now, by °holytide and feast, 

From rules of discipline released. 



IV 

They held debate of bloody °fray, 

Fought 'twixt Loch Katrine and Achray. 

Fierce was their speech, and mid their words 

Their hands oft grappled to their swords ; 

Nor sunk their tone to spare the ear 

Of wounded comrades groaning near, 70 

Whose mangled limbs and bodies gored 

Bore token of the mountain sword, 

Though, neighboring to the Court of Guard, 

Their prayers and feverish wails were heard, — 

Sad burden to the ruffian joke, 

And savage oath by fury spoke ! — 

At length upstarted John of Brent, 

A yeoman from the banks of °Trent ; 

A stranger to respect or fear, 

In peace a chaser of the deer, 80 

In host a hardy mutineer, 

But still the boldest of the crew 

When deed of danger was to do. 



144 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto VI. 

He grieved that day their games cut short, 
And marred the dicer's brawling sport, 
And shouted loud, " Renew the bowl ! 
And, while a merry catch I °troll, 
Let each the °buxom chorus bear, 
Like brethren of the brand and spear." 



VI 

The warder's challenge, heard without, 

Stayed in mid-roar the merry shout. 

A soldier to the portal went, — no 

" Here is old Bertram, sirs, of Ghent ; 

And — beat for jubilee the drum ! — 

A maid and minstrel with him come." 

Bertram, a Fleming, gray and scarred, 

Was entering now the Court of Guard, 

A harper with him, and, in plaid 

All muffled close, a mountain maid, 

Who backward shrunk to 'scape the view 

Of the loose scene and boisterous crew. 

" What news ? " they roared : — "I only know, 120 

From noon till eve we fought with foe, 

As wild and as untamable 

As the rude mountains where they dwell ; 

On both sides store of blood is lost, 

Nor much success can either boast." — 

" But whence thy captives, friend ? such spoil 

As theirs must needs reward thy toil. 

Old dost thou wax, and wars grow sharp ; 

Thou now hast °glee-maiden and harp ! 

Get thee an ape, and trudge the land, 130 

The leader of a juggler band." 



Canto VI.] THE GUARD-ROOM 145 



VII 

°" No, comrade ; — no such fortune mine. 

After the fight these sought our line, 

That aged harper and the girl, 

And, having audience of the Earl, 

Mar bade I should °purvey them steed, 

And bring them hither ward with speed. 

Forbear your mirth and rude alarm, 

For none shall do them shame or harm." — 

" Hear ye his boast ? " cried John of Brent, 140 

Ever to strife and jangling bent ; 

" Shall he strike doe beside our lodge, 

And yet the jealous niggard grudge 

To pay the forester his fee ? 

I'll have my share howe'er it be, 

Despite of Moray, Mar, or thee." 

Bertram his forward step withstood ; 

And, burning in his vengeful mood, 

Old Allan, though unfit for strife, 

Laid hand upon his dagger-knife ; 150 

But Ellen boldly stepped between, 

And dropped at once the °tartan screen : — 

So, from his morning cloud, appears 

The sun of May through summer tears. 

The savage soldiery, amazed, 

As on descended angel gazed ; 

Even hardy Brent, abashed and tamed, 

Stood half admiring, half ashamed. 

VIII 

Boldly she spoke : " Soldiers, attend ! 

My father was the soldier's friend, 160 



146 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto VI. 

Cheered him in camps, in marches led. 

And with him in the battle bled. 

Not from the valiant or the strong 

Should exile's daughter suffer wrong." 

Answered De Brent, most forward still 

In every feat or good or ill : 

° u I shame me of the part I played : 

And thou an outlaw's child, poor maid ! 

An outlaw I by forest laws. 

And merry c ZSTeedwood knows the cause. 170 

Poor Eose. — if Eose be living now." — 

He wiped his iron eye and brow, — 

" Must bear such age. I think, as thou. — 

Hear ye. my mates ! I go to call 

The Captain of our watch to hall : 

There lies my halberd on the floor ; 

And he that steps my halberd o'er, 

To do the maid injurious part. 

My shaft shall quiver in his heart ! 

Beware loose speech, or jesting rough: 180 

Ye all know John de Brent. Enough.-' 



IX 

Their Captain came, a gallant young, — 

Of c Tullibardine's house he sprung. — 

Nor wore he yet the spurs of knight : 

Gay was his mien, his humor light, 

And, though by courtesy controlled. 

Forward his speech, his bearing bold. 

The high-born maiden ill could brook 

The scanning of his curious look 

And dauntless eye: — and yet. in sooth. 190 

Young Lewis was a generous youth; 



Canto VI.] THE GUARD-ROOM 147 

But Ellen's lovely face and mien, 

111 suited to the garb and scene, 

Might lightly bear construction strange, 

And give loose fancy scope to range. 

" Welcome to Stirling towers, fair maid ! 

Come ye to seek a champion's aid, 

On palfrey white, with harper hoar, 

Like °errant damosel of yore ? 

Does thy high quest a knight require, 200 

Or may the venture suit a squire ? " 

Her dark eye flashed ; — she paused and sighed : — 

" what have I to do with pride ! — 

Through scenes of sorrow, shame, and strife, 

A suppliant for a father's life, 

I crave an audience of the King. 

Behold, to back my suit, a ring, 

The royal pledge of grateful claims, 

Given by the Monarch to Fitz-James." 



The signet ring young Lewis took 
With deep respect and altered look, 
And said : °" This ring our duties own ; 
And pardon, if to worth unknown, 
°In semblance mean obscurely veiled, 
Lady, in aught my folly failed. 
Soon as the day flings wide his gates, 
The King shall know what suitor waits. 
Please you meanwhile in fitting bower 
Repose you till his waking hour ; 
Female attendance shall obey 
Your hest, for service 1 or array. 
°Permit I marshal you the way." 



148 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto VI. 

But, ere she followed, with the grace 

And open bounty of her race, 

She bade her slender purse be shared 

Among the soldiers of the guard. 

The rest with thanks their guerdon took, 

But Brent, with shy and awkward look, 

On the reluctant maiden's hold 

Forced bluntly back the proffered gold : — 230 

" Forgive a haughty English heart, 

And 0, forget its ruder part ! 

The vacant purse shall be my share, 

Which in my °barret-cap I'll bear, 

Perchance, in jeopardy of war, 

Where gayer crests may keep afar." 

With thanks — 'twas all she could — the maid 

His rugged courtesy repaid. 



XI 

When Ellen forth with Lewis went, 

Allan made suit to John of Brent : — 240 

" My lady safe, let your grace 

Give me to see my °master's face ! 

His minstrel I, — to share his doom 

Bound from the cradle to the tomb. 

Tenth in descent, since first my sires 

Waked for his noble house their lyres, 

Nor one of all the race was known 

But prized its weal above their own. 

With the Chief's birth begins our care ; 

Our harp must soothe the infant heir, 250 

Teach the youth tales of fight, and grace 

His earliest feat of field or chase ; 

In peace, in war, our rank we keep, 



Canto VI.] THE GUARD-ROOM 149 

We cheer his board, we soothe his sleep, 

Nor leave him till we pour our verse — 

A doleful tribute ! — o'er his hearse. 

Then let me share his captive lot ; 

It is my right — deny it not ! " 

" Little we reck," said John of Brent, 

°" We Southern men, of long descent ; 260 

Nor wot we how a name — a word — 

Makes clansmen vassals to a lord : 

Yet kind my noble landlord's part, — 

God bless the house of Beaudesert ! 

And, °but I loved to drive the deer 

More than to guide the laboring steer, 

I had not dwelt an outcast here. 

Come, good old Minstrel, follow me ; 

Thy Lord and Chieftain shalt thou see." 



XII 

Then, from a rusted iron hook, 270 

A bunch of ponderous keys he took, 

Lighted a torch, and Allan led 

Through grated arch and passage dread. 

Portals they passed, where, deep within, 

Spoke prisoner's moan and fetters' din ; 

Through rugged vaults, where, loosely stored, 

Lay wheel, and axe, and headsman's sword, 

And many a hideous engine grim, 

For wrenching joint and crushing limb, 

By artists formed who deemed it shame 280 

And sin to give their work a name. 

They halted at a low-browed porch, 

And Brent to Allan gave the torch, 

While bolt and chain he backward rolled, 



150 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto VI. 

And made the bar unhasp its hold. 

They entered : — 'twas a prison-room 

Of stern security and gloom, 

Yet not a dungeon ; for the day 

Through lofty gratings found its way, 

And rude and antique garniture 290 

Decked the sad walls and oaken floor. 

Such as the rugged days of old 

Deemed fit for captive noble's hold. 

" Here/' said De Brent, " thou mayst remain 

Till the °Leech visit him again. 

Strict is his charge, the warders tell, 

To tend the noble prisoner well." 

Retiring then the bolt he drew, 

And the lock's murmurs growled anew. 

Eoused at the sound, from lowly bed 300 

A captive feebly raised his head ; 

The wondering Minstrel looked, and knew — 

Not his dear lord, but Eoderick Dim ! 

For, come from where Clan- Alpine fought, 

They, erring, deemed the Chief he sought. 



XIII 

As the tall ship, whose lofty °prore 

Shall never stem the billows more, 

Deserted by her gallant band, 

Amid the breakers lies astrand, — 

So on his couch lay Eoderick Dim ! 310 

And oft his fevered limbs he threw 

In toss abrupt, as when her sides 

Lie rocking in the advancing tides, 

That shake her frame with ceaseless beat, 

Yet cannot heave her from her seat ; — 



Canto VI.] THE GUARD-ROOM 151 

0, how unlike her course at sea ! 

Or his free step on hill and lea ! — 

Soon as the Minstrel he could scan, — 

°" What of thy lady ? — of my clan ? — 

My mother ? — Douglas ? — tell me all ! 320 

Have they been ruined in my fall ? 

Ah, yes ! or wherefore art thou here ? 

Yet speak, — speak boldly, — do not fear." — 

For Allan, who his mood well knew, 

Was choked with grief and terror too. — 

" Who fought ? — who fled ? — Old man, be brief ; — 

Some might, — for they had lost their Chief. 

Who basely live — who bravely died ? " 

" 0, calm thee, Chief ! " the Minstrel cried, 

" Ellen is safe ! " " For that thank Heaven ! " 33 o 

" And hopes are for the Douglas given ; — 

The Lady Margaret, too, is well ; 

And, for thy clan, — on field or fell, 

Has never harp of minstrel told 

Of combat fought so true and bold. 

Thy stately °Pine is yet unbent, 

Though many a goodly bough is rent." 



XIV 

The Chieftain reared his form on high, 

And fever's fire was in his eye; 

But ghastly, pale, and livid streaks 340 

Checkered his swarthy brow and cheeks. 

u Hark, Minstrel ! 1 have heard thee play, 

With measure bold on festal day, 

In yon lone isle, — again where ne'er 

Shall harper play or warrior hear! — 

°That stirring air (hat, peals on high, 



152 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto VI. 

O'er Dermid's race our victory. — 

Strike it ! — and then. — for well thou canst. — 

Free from thy minstrel-spirit glanced. 

Fling me the picture of the tight. 350 

When met my clan the Saxon might. 

I'll listen, till my fancy hears 

The clang of swords, the crash of spears ! 

These grates, these walls, shall vanish then 

For the fair field of fighting men. 

And my free spirit burst away. 

As if it soared from battle fray." 

The trembling Bard with awe obeyed, — 

Slow on the harp his hand he laid : 

But soon remembrance of the sight 360 

He witnessed from the mountain's height, 

With what old Bertram told at night, 

Awakened the full power of song, 

And bore him in career along ; — 

As shallop launched on river's tide. 

That slow and fearful leaves the side, 

But. when it feels the middle stream. 

Drives downward swift as lightning's beam. 

xv 

^BATTLE OF EEAL* AX DUIXE 

u The Minstrel came once more to view 
The eastern ridge of Benvenue. 370 

For ere he parted he would say 
Farewell to lovely Loch Achray — 
Where shall he find, in foreign land, 
So lone a lake, so sweet a strand ! — 
There is no breeze upon the fern, 
Xo ripple on the lake. 



Canto VI.] THE GUARD-ROOM 153 

Upon her eyry nods the °erne, 

The deer has sought the brake ; 
The small birds will not sing aloud, 

The springing trout lies still, 380 

So darkly glooms yon thunder-cloud, 
That swathes, as with a purple shroud, 

Benledi's distant hill. 
Is it the thunder's solemn sound 

That mutters deep and dread, 
Or echoes from the groaning ground 

The warrior's measured tread ? 
Is it the lightning's quivering glance 

That on the thicket streams, 
Or do they flash on spear and lance 390 

The sun's retiring beams ? — 
I see the dagger-crest of Mar, 
I see the Moray silver star, 
Wave o'er the cloud of Saxon war, 
That up the lake comes winding far ! 
To hero boune for battle-strife, 

Or bard of martial lay, 
'Twere worth ten years of peaceful life, 

One glance at their array ! 

XVI 

" Their light-armed archers far and near 400 

Surveyed the tangled ground, 
Their centre ranks, with pike and spear, 

A twilight forest frowned, 
Their °barded horsemen in the rear 

The stern °battalia crowned. 
No cymbal clashed, no clarion rang, 

Still were the pipe and drum ; 



154 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto VI. 

Save heavy tread, and armor's clang, 

The sullen march was dumb. 
There breathed no wind their crests to shake, 410 

Or wave their flags abroad; 
Scarce the frail aspen seemed to quake, 

That shadowed o'er their road. 
Their °vaward scouts no tidings bring, 

Can rouse no lurking foe, 
Nor spy a trace of living thing, 

Save when they stirred the roe ; 
The host moves like a deep-sea wave, 
Where rise no rocks its pride to brave, 

High-swelling, dark, and slow. 420 

The lake is passed, and now they gain 
A narrow and a broken plain, 
Before the Trosachs' rugged jaws ; 
And here the horse and spearmen pause, 
While, to explore the dangerous glen, 
Dive through the pass the archer-men. 



XVII 

" At once there rose so wild a yell 
Within that dark and narrow dell, 
As all the fiends from heaven that fell 
Had pealed the banner-cry of hell ! 430 

Forth from the pass in tumult driven, 
Like chaff before the wind of heaven, 

The archery appear : 
For life ! for life ! their flight they ply — 
And shriek, and shout, and battle-cry, 
And plaids and bonnets waving high, 
And broadswords flashing to the sky, 
Are maddening in the rear. 



Canto VI.] THE GUARD-ROOM 155 

Onward they drive in dreadful race, 

Pursuers and pursued ; 440 

Before that tide of flight and chase, 
How shall it keep its rooted place, 

The spearmen's twilight wood ? — 
i Down, down/ cried Mar, ' your lances dow r n ! 

Bear back both friend and foe ! ' — 
Like reeds before the tempest's frown, 
That °serried grove of lances brown 

At once lay levelled low ; 
And closely shouldering side to side, 
The bristling ranks the onset bide. — 450 

' We'll quell the savage mountaineer, 

As their °Tinchel cows the game ! 
They come as fleet as forest deer, 

We'll drive them back as tame.' ° 



XVIII 

" Bearing before them in their course 

The relics of the archer force, 

Like wave with crest of sparkling foam, 

Right onward did Clan- Alpine come. 
Above the tide, each broadsword bright 
Was brandishing like beam of light, 460 

Each targe was dark below ; 
And with the ocean's mighty swing, 
When heaving to the tempest's wing, 
They hurled them on the foe. 

I heard the lance's shivering crash, 

As when the whirlwind rends the ash ; 

I heard the broadsword's deadly clang, 

As if a hundred anvils rang ! 

But Moray wheeled his rearward rank 



156 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto VI. 

Of horsemen on Clan- Alpine's flank, — 470 

• My banner-man. advance ! 
I see/ he "cried, -their column shake. 
Xow, gallants! for your ladies 3 sake, 

Upon them with the lance ! ' — 
The horsemen dashed among the rout. 

As deer break through the broom : 
Their steeds are stout, their swords are c 

They soon make lightsome room. 
Clan- Alpine's best are backward borne — 

Where, where was Roderick then ! - 480 

One blast upon his bugle-horn 

Were worth a thousand men. 
And refluent through the pass of fear 

The battle's tide was poured : 
Vanished the Saxon's struggling spear. 

Vanished the mountain-sword 
As Bracklinn's chasm, so black and steep, 

Keceives her roaring linn. 
As the dark caverns of the deep 

Suck the wild whirlpool in, 490 

So did the deep and darksome pass 
Devour the battle's mingled mas- : 
None linger now upon the plain, 
Save those who ne'er shall fight again. 

XIX 

u Now westward rolls the battle's din. 

That deep and "doubling pass within. — 

Minstrel, away ! the work of fate 

Is bearing on ; its issue wait. 

Where the rude Trosachs' dread defile 

Opens on Katrine's lake and isle. 50c 



Canto VI.] THE GUARD-ROOM 157 

Gray Benvenue I soon repassed, 
Loch Katrine lay beneath me cast. 
The sun is set ; — the clouds are met, 

The lowering scowl of heaven 
An inky hue of livid blue 
To the deep lake has given ; 
Strange gusts of wind from mountain glen 
Swept o'er the lake, then sunk again. 
I heeded not the eddying surge, 
Mine eye but saw the Trosachs' gorge, 510 

Mine ear but heard that sullen sound, 
Which like an earthquake shook the ground, 
And spoke the stern and desperate strife 
That parts not but with parting life, 
Seeming, to minstrel ear, to toll 
The dirge of many a passing soul. 
Nearer it comes — the dim-wood glen 
The martial flood disgorged again, 

But not in mingled tide ; 
The plaided warriors of the North 520 

High on the mountain thunder forth 

And overhang its side, 
While by the lake below appears 
The darkening cloud of Saxon spears. 
°At weary bay each shattered band, 
Eying their foemen, sternly stand ; 
Their banners stream like tattered sail, 
That flings its fragments to the gale, 
And broken arms and disarray 
Marked the fell havoc of the day. 530 

xx 

" Viewing the mountain's ridge askance, 
The Saxons stood in sullen trance, 



158 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto VI. 

Till Moray pointed with his lance, 

And cried : i Behold yon isle ! — 
See ! none are left to guard its strand 
But women weak, that wring the hand : 
'Tis there of yore the robber band 

Their booty wont to pile ; — 
My purse, with °bonnet-pieces store, 
To him will swim a bow-shot o'er, 54c 

And loose a shallop from the shore. 
Lightly we'll tame the war-wolf then, 
Lords of his mate, and brood, and den.' 
Forth from the ranks a spearman sprung, 
On earth his casque and corselet rung, 

He plunged him in the wave : — 
All saw the deed, — the purpose knew, 
And to their clamors Benvenue 

A mingled echo gave ; 
The Saxons shout, their mate to cheer, 550 

The helpless females scream for fear, 
And yells for rage the mountaineer. 
'Twas then, as by the outcry riven, 
Poured down at once the lowering heaven : 
A whirlwind sw r ept Loch Katrine's breast, 
Her billows reared their snowy crest. 
Well for the swimmer swelled they high, 
To mar the Highland marksman's eye ; 
For round him showered, mid rain and hail, 
The vengeful arrows of the Gael. 560 

In vain. — He nears the isle — and lo ! 
His hand is on a shallop's bow. 
Just then a flash of lightning came, 
It tinged the waves and strand with flame ; 
I marked °Duncraggan's widowed dame, 
Behind an oak I saw her stand, 



Canto VI.] THE G CARD-ROOM 159 

°A naked dirk gleamed in her hand : — 

It darkened, — but amid the moan 

Of waves I heard a dying groan ; — 

Another flash ! — the spearman floats 570 

A weltering corse beside the boats, 

And the stern matron o'er him stood, 

Her hand and dagger streaming blood. 



XXI 

" ' Revenge ! revenge ! ' the Saxons cried 

The Gaels' exulting shout replied. 

Despite the elemental rage, 

Again they hurried to engage ; 

But, ere they closed in desperate fight, 

Bloody with spurring came a knight, 

Sprung from his horse, and from a crag 580 

Waved 'twixt the hosts a milk-white flag. 

Clarion and trumpet by his side 

Rung forth a °truce-note high and wide, 

While, in the Monarch's name, afar 

A herald's voice forbade the war, 

For Bothw r ell's lord and Roderick bold 

Were both, he said, in captive hold." — 

But here the lay made sudden stand, 

The harp escaped the Minstrel's hand ! 

Oft had he stolen a glance, to spy 590 

How t Roderick brooked his minstrelsy : 

At first, the Chieftain, to the chime, 

Willi lifted hand kept feeble time; 

That motion ceased, — yet °feeling strong 

Varied his look as changed the song; 

At length, no more his deafened ear 

The minstrel melody can hear; 



K30 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto VI. 

His face grows sharp, — his hands are clenched, 

As if some pang his heart-strings wrenched : 

Set are his teeth, his fading eye 600 

Is sternly fixed on vacancy : 

Thus, motionless and moanless, drew 

c His parting breath stout Boderick Dim! — 

Old Allan-bane looked on aghast, 

While grim and still his spirit passed ; 

But when he saw that life was fled, 

He poured his wailing o'er the dead. 



XXII 

LAMENT 

" And art thou cold and lowly laid, 

Thy foeman's dread, thy people's aid, 

Breadalbane's boast, Clan-Alpine's shade ! 610 

For thee, shall none a requiem say ? — 

For thee who loved the minstrel's lay, 

For thee, of BothwelFs house the stay, 

The shelter of her exiled line, 

E'en in this prison-house of thine, 

I'll wail for Alpine's honored Pine ! 

" What groans shall yonder valleys fill ! 

What shrieks of grief shall rend yon hill ! 

What tears of burning rage shall thrill. 

When mourns thy tribe thy battles done, 620 

Thy fall before the race was won, 

Thy sword ungirt ere set of sun ! 

There breathes not clansman of thy line, 

But would have given his life for thine. 

0, woe for Alpine's honored Bine ! 



Canto VI.] THE GUARD-ROOM 161 

" Sad was thy lot on mortal stage ! — 

The captive thrush may brook the cage, 

The prisoned eagle dies for rage. 

Brave spirit, do not scorn my strain ! 

And, when its notes awake again, 630 

°Even she, so long beloved in vain, 

Shall with my harp her voice combine, 

And mix her woe and tears with mine, 

To wail Clan-Alpine's honored Pine." 

XXIII 

Ellen the while, with bursting heart, 

Remained in lordly bower apart, 

Where played, with many-colored gleams, 

Through °storied pane the rising beams. 

In vain on gilded roof they fall, 

And lightened up a tapestried wall, 640 

And for her use a menial train 

A rich collation spread in vain. 

The banquet proud, the chamber gay, 

Scarce drew one curious glance astray ; 

Or if she looked, 'twas but to say, 

With better omen dawned the day 

In that lone isle, where waved on high 

The dun-deer's hide for canopy ; 

Where oft her noble father shared 

The simple meal her care prepared, 650 

While Lufra, crouching by her side, 

Her station claimed with jealous pride, 

And Douglas, bent on woodland game, 

Spoke of the chase to Malcolm Graeme, 

Whose answer, oft at random made, 

The wandering of his thoughts betrayed, 



162 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto VI 

Those who such simple joys have known 

Are taught to prize them when they're gone. 

But sudden, see, she lifts her head, 

The window seeks with cautious tread. 660 

What distant music has the power 

To win her in this woful hour ? 

'Twas from a turret that overhung 

Her latticed bower, the strain was sung 

XXIV 
LAY OF THE IMPRISONED HUNTSMAN 

" My hawk is tired of °perch and hood, 

My idle greyhound loathes his food, 

~My horse is weary of his stall, 

And I am sick of captive thrall. 

I wish I were as I have been, 

Hunting the hart in forest green, 670 

\Vith bended bow and bloodhound free, 

For that's the life is °meet for me. 

" I hate to learn the ebb of time 

From yon dull steeple's drowsy chime, 

Or mark it as the sunbeams crawl, 

Inch after inch, along the wall. 

The lark was wont my matins ring, 

The sable rook my vespers sing; 

These towers, although a king's they be, 

Have not a hall of joy for me. 6S0 

" No more at dawning morn I rise, 
And sun myself in Ellen's eyes, 
Drive the fleet deer the forest through, 
And homeward wend with evening dew; 



Canto VI.] THE GUARD-ROOM 163 

A blithesome welcome blithely meet, 
And lay my trophies at her feet, 
While fled the eve on wing of glee, — 
°That life is lost to love and me ! " 



XXV 

The heart-sick lay was hardly said, 

The listener had not turned her head, 690 

It trickled still, the starting tear, 

When light a footstep struck her ear, 

And Snowdoun's graceful Knight was near. 

She turned the hastier, lest again 

The prisoner should renew his strain. 

" welcome, brave Fitz- James ! " she said ; 

"How may an almost orphan maid 

Pay the deep debt — " "0 say not so ! 

To me no gratitude you owe. 

Not mine, alas ! the boon to give, 700 

And bid thy noble father live ; 

I can but be thy guide, sweet maid, 

With Scotland's King thy suit to aid. 

No tyrant he, though ire and pride 

May lay his better mood aside. 

Come, Ellen, come ! 'tis more than time, 

He holds his court at morning prime." 

With beating heart, and bosom wrung, 

As to a brother's arm she clung. 

Gently he dried the falling tear, 710 

And gently whispered hope and cheer; 

Her faltering steps half led, half °stayed, 

Through gallery fair and high arcade, 

Till at his touch its wings of pride 

A portal arch unfolded wide. 



164 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto VI. 



XXVI 

Within 'twas brilliant all and light, 

A thronging scene of figures bright ; 

It glowed on Ellen's dazzled sight, 

As when the setting sun has given 

Ten thousand hues to summer even, 720 

And from their tissue fancy frames 

Aerial knights and fairy dames. 

Still by Fitz-James her footing staid ; 

A few faint steps she forward made, 

Then slow her drooping head she raised, 

And fearful round the presence gazed : 

For him she sought who owned this state. 

The dreaded Prince whose will was fate ! — 

She gazed on many a princely port 

Might well have ruled a royal court ; 730 

On many a splendid garb she gazed, — 

Then turned bewildered and amazed, 

For all stood bare ; and in the room 

Fitz- James alone wore cap and plume. 

To him each lady's look was lent, 

On him each courtier's eye was bent ; 

Midst furs and silks and jewels sheen, 

He stood, in simple Lincoln green, 

The centre of the glittering ring, — 

°And Snowdoun's Knight is Scotland's King ! 740 

XXVII 

°As wreath of snow on mountain-breast 
Slides from the rock that gave it rest, 
Poor Ellen glided from her stay. 
And at the Monarch's feet she lay ; 
Xo word her choking' voice commands, — 



Canto VI.] THE GUARD-ROOM 165 

She showed the ring, — she clasped her hands. 

0, not a moment could he brook, 

The generous Prince, that suppliant look ! 

Gently he raised her, — and, the while, 

Checked with a glance the circle's smile ; 750 

Graceful, but grave, her brow he kissed, 

And bade her terrors be dismissed : — 

" Yes, fair ; the wandering poor Fitz-James 

The fealty of Scotland claims. 

To him thy woes, thy wishes, bring ; 

He will redeem his signet ring. 

Ask naught for Douglas ; — yester even, 

His Prince and he have much forgiven ; 

Wrong hath he had from slanderous tongue, 

1, from his rebel kinsmen, wrong. 760 
We would not, to the vulgar crowd, 

Yield what they craved with clamor loud ; 

Calmly we heard and judged his cause, 

Our council aided and our laws. 

I stanched thy father's death-feud stern 

With stout De Vaux and gray Glencairn ; 

And Bothwell's Lord henceforth we own 

The friend and bulwark of our throne. — 

But, lovely °infidel, how now ? 

What clouds thy misbelieving brow ? 770 

Lord James of Douglas, lend thine aid ; 

Thou must confirm this doubting maid." 



XXVIII 

Then forth the noble Douglas sprung, 
And on his neck his daughter hung, 
The Monarch drank, that happy hour, 
The sweetest, holiest draught of Power, — 



1 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [CAanoYL 

"it_ :: 777 ?..v :77 ^:-iliii- ~:i:r. 

.Lz-r 577 ~77:;-. ."-771 r-r; •::•:»? 

Yet would not James the general ere 

On nature's raptures long should pry : 

h- -- - ' - : - --_ — :• .-;- : V. 

Steal not my proselyte away ! 
The riddle tis my ngjit to read, 

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Yt- !._-_ -7.-77 l..- t :-- ' I :7I 
In 77- e 77 ::- '. ; ~ ' . - _ .-. " 
lis under name which Teils my power, 

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- . 



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H- zi'.'Z'T-i Tlr -r^77-— :: If: br^st: 
1 -". 77;-: 7i : -7-— :. 7 7 .77_r 



Canto VI.] THE GUARD-ROOM 167 

A lightening of her fears for Graeme, 

And more she deemed the Monarch's ire 

Kindled 'gainst him who for her sire 810 

Bebellious broadsword boldly drew ; 

And, to her generous feeling true, 

She craved the grace of Roderick Dhu. 

" Forbear thy suit ; — the King of kings 

Alone can stay life's parting wings. 

I know his heart, I know his hand, 

Have shared his cheer, and proved his brand ; — 

My fairest earldom would I give 

To bid Clan- Alpine's Chieftain live ! — 

Hast thou no other boon to crave ? 820 

No other captive friend to save ? " 

Blushing, she turned her from the King, 

And to the Douglas gave the ring, 

As if she wished her sire to speak 

The suit that °stainecl her glowing cheek. 

" Nay, then, my pledge has lost its force, 

And stubborn justice holds her course. 

Malcolm, come forth ! " — and, at the word, 

Down kneeled the Graeme to Scotland's Lord. 

" For thee, rash youth, no suppliant sues, 830 

From thee may Vengeance claim her dues, 

°Who, nurtured underneath our smile, 

Hast paid our care by treacherous wile, 

And sought amid thy faithful clan 

A refuge for an outlawed man, 

Dishonoring thus thy loyal name. — 

Fetters and warder for the °Graeme ! " 

His chain of gold the King unstrung, 

The links o'er Malcolm's neck he flung, 

Then gently drew the glittering band, 840 

And laid the clasp on Ellen's hand. 



168 THE LADY OF THE LAKE [Canto VI. 

°Harp of the North, farewell ! The hills grow dark, 

On purple peaks a deeper shade descending ; 
In twilight copse the glow-worm lights her spark, 

The deer, half seen, are to the covert wending. 
Resume thy wizard elm ! the fountain lending, 

And the wild breeze, thy wilder minstrelsy ; . 
Thy numbers sweet with nature's vespers blending, 

\Vith distant echo from the fold and lea, 
And herd-boy's evening pipe, and hum of housing bee. 

Yet, once again, farewell, thou Minstrel Harp ! 851 

Yet, once again, forgive my feeble sway, 
And little reck I of the censure sharp 

May idly °cavil at an idle lay. 
Much have I owed thy strains on life's long way, 

Through secret woes the world has never knoAvn, 
When on the weary night dawned wearier day, 

And bitterer was the grief devoured alone. — 
That I Verlive such woes, Enchantress ! is thine own. 

°Hark ! as my lingering footsteps slow retire, 860 

Some Spirit of the Air has waked thy string ! 
'Tis now a seraph bold, with touch of fire, 

'Tis now the brush of Fairy's frolic wing. 
Receding now. the dying numbers ring 

Fainter and fainter down the rugged dell ; 
And now the mountain breezes scarcely bring 

A wandering witch-note of the distant spell — 
And now, 'tis silent all! — Enchantress, fare thee well! 



NOTES 



CANTO FIRST 

Line 2. Witch-elm. The drooping, broad-leaved elm of Scot- 
land, whose twigs were formerly used as divining-rods. 

Saint Fillan. A Scotch abbot of the eighth century. He had 
several springs. This one was probably the Holy Pool west of 
Loch Earn, in which insane people used to be dipped. 

" Thence to Saint Fillan's blessed well, 
Whose springs can frenzied dreams dispel 
And the crazed brain restore." 

— Marmion, i. 509. 

3. Numbers. Eighteenth century for verses. 

4. Envious ivy. Why envious ? 

10. Caledon. Caledonia, Roman name for Scotland. 
14. According pause. Pause filled by the harp accompaniment. 
MS. reads : — 

" At each according pause thou spokest aloud, 
Thine ardent sympathy sublime and high." 

Which is better, and why ? 

How is this prelude a fitting introduction ? 

29. Monan's rill. Saint Monan was a Scotch martyr of the 
fourth century. 

81. Glenartney. See map. Do you know the hazel ? Learn 
all the plants mentioned. 



170 NOTES TCanto I. 

32. Beacon. Why beacon ? 

33. Benvoirlich. Ben is Gaelic for mountain. 

34. Deep-mouthed. Cf. Shakespeare, 1 Henry VI., II. iv. 12, 

"Between two dogs, which hath the deeper mouth." 

38-41. As . . . haste. Notice simile. Have you seen Landseer's 
picture, "The Monarch of the Glen" ? 

45. Beamed frontlet. Antlered forehead. 

46. Adown. A poetic word not permitted in prose. Make a 
list of all such words that you find. 

47. Tainted gale. Meaning of "tainted" here? 

53. Uam-Var. An ancient robber stronghold. 

54. Yelled . . . pack. Prose order ? Notice force of inversion 
and of opening trochee. 

Opening. Barking when the view opened. 

66. Cairn. Unusual use of the word. What ? 

68. Ken. Find other words from the same root. Read the 

stanza aloud to get the effect of its crescendo and diminuendo. 

71. Linn. Cascade? Pool? 

81. Breathe. Transitive. 

84. Shrewdly. Severely. 

85. Burst. What part of speech ? 
89. Menteith. Borders of river Teith. 

91. Moss. Boggy place. Have you read Crockett's The Men 
of the Mosshags ? It is the obverse of Scott's Old Mortality. 
93. Lochard. Appears in Bob Boy and Waverley. 
95. Loch Achray. The eastern outlet of the Trosachs Pass. 
102. 'Twere. What part of the verb ? 
103-113. As swept . . . Follow the hunt upon the map. 






Canto I.] NOTES 171 

112. Brigg of Turk. Brigg means bridge. Read Burns's "The 
Brigs of Ayr. 1 ' 

117. Embossed. Old hunting expression. 

120. Saint Hubert's breed. Scott says, quoting from an old 
writer, " These are the hounds which the abbots of Saint Hubert 
have always kept some of their race or kind in honor or remem- 
brance of the saint, which was a hunter with Saint Eustace. 
Whereupon we may conceive that (by the grace of God) all good 
huntsmen shall follow them into paradise. ' ' 

127. Quarry. The animal hunted. 

181. Mountain. Which? 

138. Whinyard. Short thick knife. 

142. Turned him. Reflexive use, found in older writers. A 
Latinism. 

145. Trosachs. The wild country near Lochs Katrine and 
Vennachar, especially the pass between Lochs Katrine and Achray. 

147. Couched. Syntax ? 

150. Amain. Cf. "with might and main." Derivation of 
word ? Milton's Lyciclas, 1. Ill, speaking of Saint Peter's keys : 

" The golden opes, the iron shuts amain. " 

151. Chiding. See 1. 287. Cf. 1 Henry IV., III. i. 45. 

" The sea that chides the banks of England." 
Explain the faded metaphor. 

163. Seine. Where is the Seine? At the end of the poem 
recall this allusion and find out when and why the hunter visited 
the Seine. 

166-67. Woe worth. Woe be to. 

184-277. The western waves . . . bare. Try to learn this 
description "by heart," having first hunted out all the delicate 



172 XOTES [Canto I. 

touches which make it exquisite. Scott was able to describe so 
perfectly because he had learned to see so accurately and- lovingly. 

195. Native bulwarks. MS. reads, "The mimic castle of the 
pass." 

196. Tower. See Gen. xi. 1-9. 
208. Sheen. Adj., bright. 
212. Boon. Adj. Derivation? 

217. Bower. Dwelling, home, A.-S. bur. Cf. Shakespeare, Son- 
nets, cxxvii. 7. In domestic use the word is applied to any private 
sitting-room. Cf. "in hall or bower." Neighbor (neah-bur) is 
from same root. 

218. Foxglove and nightshade. Mr. Ruskin, in his Modem 
Painters, III., refers to Scott's habit of drawing a slight moral 
from every scene — and that this slight moral is almost always 
melancholy. "He seems to have been constantly rebuking his 
own worldly pride and vanity, but purposefully." This is one of 
the illustrations given. But is the idea Scott's, or only Ruskin's? 

228-229. Where . . . sky. Notice this bit. 

254-260. And now . . . won. True until the present road was 
made. 

256. Nice. Used correctly, not in schoolgirl fashion, " a nice 
gown," "nice chocolate creams." 

258. Broom. What royal family used the broom as its emblem, 
and was named therefrom? Was any one in this poem descended 
from that family ? 

262. Living gold. Why living ? Study a photograph of Loch 
Katrine. 

269. Sentinel enchanted land. Did Scott suspect that he him- 
self was to be the Enchanter ? Derivation and history of enchanted. 

271. Wildering. Poetic contraction. 

285. Cloister. Here a monastery, not the inner covered walk 



Canto I.] NOTES 173 

290. Should lave. Cf. MS., "did lave." 

293. Matins. Do you see any connection between matins and 
matinee ? 

297. To drop . . . knell. Explain. 

302. Beshrew. A very gentle curse. 

321-322. Oak . . . rock. This is an imperfect rhyme. Distin- 
guish such from Scotch pronunciation. 

331. Silver strand. Really such. 

342. Naiad. See mythology for this and line 344. 

348. Sportive toil. Explain contradiction. 

352. Courtly. Here, belonging to the court. Cf . Milton's Comus, 
323-326. 

353. Measured. Governed by court etiquette. 

362. A Chieftain's daughter. Proofs, 363-364. 

363. Snood. The silken ribbon about the flowing hair which 
distinguishes a Scotch maiden from a matron. 

Plaid. See note on 321-322 above. 

377. Confessed. How different from present meaning ? 

384. Indignant spirit. Illustrate from Scottish history. 

385. One only passion. Cf. Shakespeare, Julius Cmsar, I. ii. 157, 
" When there is in it but one only man." 

404. Prune. Arrange damaged plumage. 

408. Wont. Past tense of Anglo-Saxon iconan, to dwell. Here 
used as a present, meaning "are wont." 

409. On . . . sage. Show force of personification. 
413. Forward and frolic. What part of speech? 
425. Slighting. Paying little attention to. 

433. Open. What do you know of Highland hospitality ? 
438. Couch. Heather. 



174 NOTES [Canto I. 

441. Mere. Lake, as in Grasmere, where Scott used to visit 
the nature-poet, Wordsworth. 

443. Rood. Cross, a common oath. What palace was named 
from the rood ? 

449. Fair. Young lady. Cf. Midsummer Night's Dream, I. i. 
182. 

457. As far as. What is omitted ? 

457. Yesternight. Obsolete, but cf . yesterday, fortnight. 

458-460. Foretold . . . bent. Ask some old Scotch lady to 
tell you instances of second sight. 

461. Dappled. Derived from (spotted) apple. 

464. Lincoln Green. Made in Lincoln. Cf. the dress of Robin 
Hood's merry men. 

475. Errant-knight. What was a knight-errant ? 

476. Sooth. Adj., truthful. 

478. Emprise. Enterprise, but a more poetic word. 
490. Frequent. Part of speech ? Find other similar examples 
of such exchange. 

492. Rocky Isle. "It is a little island, but very famous in 
Romance land as ' Ellen's Isle ' ; for Ellen . . . was the name of 
the Lady of the Lake. ... It is mostly composed of dark gray 
rocks, mottled with pale and gray lichen, peeping out here and 
there amid trees that mantle them, — chiefly light, graceful birches, 
intermingled with red-berried mountain ashes and a few dark 
green spiry pines. ... A more poetic, romantic retreat could 
hardly be imagined ; it is unique. It is completely hidden, not 
only by the trees, but also by an undergrowth of beautiful and 
abundant ferns and the loveliest of heather." — Hcnxewell's 
Lands of Scott. 

500. Winded. Why did he not say wound f 

504. Here, for retreat. Scott says in a note : "The Celtic chief- 






Canto I.] NOTES 175 

tains . . . had usually, in the most retired spot of their domain, 
some place of retreat ... a tower, a cavern, or a rustic hut in a 
strong and secluded situation. One of these last gave refuge to 
the unfortunate Charles Edward, in his perilous wanderings after 
the battle of Culloden. 

525. Idaean vine. Idcean is derived from Mt. Ida near Troy. 
Read the opening stanza of Tennyson's CEnone for the description 
of the home of another "fay in fairy land." 

528. Plant . . . bear. Ellipsis. Common in Shakespeare. 

545. Trophies. An interesting word. Find its cousins. This 
whole description might have applied to a room in one of Scott's 
own residences. 

558. Tapestry. How many syllables here? What is tapestry ? 

566. Brook. Endure. 

573. Ferragus or Ascabart (Ascapart). Two fabulous sons of 
the giant Anak. See Ariosto's Orlando Furioso. 

580. Though . . . knew. Meaning? 

587. Fellest. Most dreadful. 

591. Snowdoun. Former name for Stirling Castle. 

596. Wot. Knows. We still use u to wit," the noun wit, etc. 

602. Require. Ask, merely, as always in Elizabethan English. 

616. Weird women. Watch for alliteration and see how it adds 
to the music. What did Ellen mean ? 

622. Harp unseen. "They (the Highlanders) delight much in 
music, but chiefly in harps and clairschoes of their own fashion : 
... the strings of the harps [are made] of sinews. . . . They 
take great pleasure to deck their harps and clairschoes with silver 
and precious stones." — Scott. 

624-648. Soldier . . . stamping. Notice the effect of the trochaic 
measure. How do you explain the indentation of the margin ? 



176 XOTES vtoI. 

631. Dewing. Bedewing. Cf. Shakespeare's Jul -.II. 

i. 230. •• The honey-heavy dew of slumber." 

3. Pibroch. A Highland air usually played on the martial 
bagpipe; or the bagpipe itself. Cf. Whittier's "The Pipes at 
Luckno w " .- — 

'■ Pipes of the misty moorlands. 
Voice of the glens aod hills, 
The droning of the torrents, 
The treble of the rills. 



" Sweet sounds the Gaelic pibi 

ei mountain, glen, and glade, 
But the sweetest of all mi 
The pipes at Lucknow played." 

642. Bittern . . . drum. Cf. Goldsmith's Dt ye, 1. 

44. •* the hollow-sounding bittern." 
651. Cadence. Originally a falling. 
655. Spells. Carrying out the idea of •• weird Sisters." 
. Dreamed. Transitive 

674-706. In broken dreams . . . woke. Interpret his dream. 

a cannot, keep it in mind. 
704. Grisly. Horrible and weird ; a favorite word in old poetry. 
721. Aspens. Why are they especially mentioned? Follow 
out the metaphor. 

731. Douglas. See Tales of a Grandfather. 

732. Brand. Sw; 

Orisons. Prayers. Find other words from same i 

745. Morning dawned. WTiy does the canto close with the 
dawn and not with undisturbed repose ? 



Canto II.] NOTES 177 



General Questions on Canto First 

1. Poetry differs from prose in respect to its mission and style. 
What have you learned in Canto I. regarding each of these ? How 
does the diction of poetry differ from that of prose ? The arrange- 
ment of the words ? 

2. Imagine a series of paintings that might be made from 
descriptions in this Canto. 

3. Recall beautiful descriptive passages from your previous 
reading: passages by Irving, Hawthorne, Ruskin, Muir, Bur- 
roughs, and other masters. 

4. Collect all the proofs of the delicacy and high breeding of the 
Knight and his hosts. Are they characteristics of the Highlanders ? 
Have you read Ian Maclaren's sketches of Drumtochty ? If so, 
you remember instances of fine courtesy among humble folk. 

5. Compare the Knight's reception by Ellen Douglas with that 
of Ulysses by the Princess Nausicaa as told in the 
Book VIII. 



CANTO SECOND 

Line 7. Minstrel gray. " Highland chieftains, to a late period, 
retained in their service the bard, as a family officer." — Scott. 
It was the duty of this minstrel to improvise and sing accounts of 
clan battles and other warlike stories pertaining to the family. 

9. Express the subject of this first stanza in two or three words. 

10-16. Not . . . days. Give carefully in prose order. How 
many points of resemblance can you find between benefits, and 
the spray and ripple f Is there a suggestion here that the minstrel 
guessed the stranger's name? 

^0. Battled line. Line of battle. 

N 



178 NOTES [Canto II. 

30. Crest. Helmet or its plumes. Here apparently the head. 
35. Hap. Misfortune. Erewhile. Formerly. 
52-53. Blighted tree. Xote the effectiveness of introducing the 
tree. 

55. Reverend. Worthy of reverence. 

d6. As from. As if from. 

64. As . . . fled. A similar omission. , 

79. My lyre. Whose lyre ? Why ? 

80. Fair would. Fair that would. Is spy a pleasing word to 
apply to Ellen's interest ? 

87. Prize of festal day. Refers to tournaments. 

94. Parts. Departs. Common in our older English. 

109. Graeme. So spelled for the measure. Usually Graham. 
An ancient and powerful family who held large tracts in the coun- 
ties of Dumbarton and Stirling. It included Wallace's comrade, 
Sir John the Graeme, who fell at Falkirk in 1298 ; the Marquis of 
Montrose, sung by Aytoun ; and Claverhouse. Viscount of Dundee, 
the hero of Old Mortality. 

115. Martial. Derivation. What month is named from the 
same source ? 

121. All unwont. Construction. 

130. Tuneful fathers. Earlier bards. 

131. Erst. Formerly. 

Saint Modan. One of the numerous Scotch abbots. He lived 
in the seventh century. 

141. Bothwell"s bannered hall. A beautiful ruined castle nine 
miles above Glasgow on the Clyde. 

142. Ere Douglases to ruin driven. "The Earl of Angus had 
married the queen dowager, and availed himself of the right 
which he thus acquired, as well as of his extensive power, to retain 



Canto II.] NOTES 179 

the king [James V.] in a sort of tutelage, which approached very- 
near to captivity. Several open attempts were made to rescue 
James from this thraldom, with which he was well known to be 
deeply disgusted ; but the valor of the Douglases and their allies 
gave them the victory in every conflict. At length the king, 
while residing at Falkland, contrived to escape by night out of his 
own court and palace, and rode full speed to Stirling Castle, where 
the governor, who was of the opposite faction, joyfully received 
him." Scott goes on to tell how James then summoned such 
peers as were hostile to the Douglas, and they decided to call the 
great earl, his brother and other kin, to appear before a certain 
day, or be banished. "But the earl appeared not, nor none for 
him ; and so he was put to the horn, with all his kin and friends : 
so many as were contained in the summons, that compeared not, 
were banished, and were holden traitors to the king." 

159. From Tweed to Spey. The southern and northern border 
rivers of Scotland, respectively. 

170. Reave. Tear away. We still use participle reft. Cf. he- 
reave and bereft. 

170-171. The . . . grieve. What was the stem ? What the 
foliage ? 

200. Bleeding Heart. The cognizance of the Douglas, because 
Robert Bruce, dying, bequeathed his heart to his friend, Lord 
James Douglas. The story of its adventure with the Moslems is 
familiar. The heart is now in Melrose Abbey. 

206. Strathspey. A Highland dance. See note to line 159. 

214. Loch Lomond. The largest lake in Scotland, about twenty- 
three miles by five. 

216. Lennox foray. The Lennox family lived south of Loch 
Lomond. This means a foray into their territory. 

220. Black Sir Roderick. Dhn is Gaelic for Black. 



180 XOTES [Canto il 

221. Holy-Rood. Holyrood Palace. Such murders were not 
uncommon, even in the presence of the sovereign. Cf. the death 
of Rizzio, the favorite of Mary Queen of Scots, 

- 5 Guerdon. A fine poetic word for reward. 

236. Dispensation. Formal permission from the Pope for the 

asms I :■ marry each other. 
--.-245. That , . . mane. Note antithesis. 

- : i. Shrouds. Protects, Cf.. in Comus, line 147. •• run to your 
shrou .-. 

260. Votaress. A woman set apart from the world by a solemn 

Maronnan's cell. A little chapel on the eastern side of Loch 
Lomond. 

270. Bracklinn. A cascade near Callan:; 

271 Save. Unless. 

272. Chafe. Mood of chafe? 

274. Claymore. The large sword used by the Gaels. 

- B ' - 00 . Da you think Ellen was prejud: : 

- 4. Shadowy plaid. To fit his title of " the Bla: 

306. Tine-man. The unfortunate Archibald, third Earl of 
Douglas, who was so called because he fined or lost all his battles. 

What time. At the time when. 

308. Hotspur. The famous Percy of Shakespeare*- Henry IV. 

309. Self-unscabbarded. Srr Canto I., lines 536 and •: 

319. Beltane game. May-day game. Beltane = Bealltain or 
Beal's fiie. Beat is probably Gaelic for sun. though the origin 
of the word is very obscure. In the Celtic beltane, or May-day, 
celebration, great bonfires were kindled on the hills. 

331-438. Could a hero be introduced in a more stirring manner ? 



Canto II.] 1T0TJBS 181 

336. Gtengyle* A valley at the north end of Loch Katrine. 

340. Bannered Pine. The banner bearing the pine as an emblem. 

360. Wailed. Meaning? 

368. Battered earth. Why called battered ? 

392. Burden. Chorus. 

405. Bourgeon. Bud. 

408. Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu. " Black Roderick, the de- 
scendant of Alpine," an epithet belonging to him as the head of 
the clan. 

416. Menteith. See note to Canto I., 1. 89. 

Breadalbane. A district between Lochs Lomond and Tay, 

Notice the effect of the dactylic metre of this song. Can you 
recall any other poem of the same metre? Tennyson's Charge of 
the Light Brigade is one example. 

419. Glen Fruin. Southwest of Loch Lomond, and overhung 
by Bannochar Castle. See next line. 

420. Slogan. War cry. 

421. Glen Luss and Ross-dhu. Valleys near Glen Fruin. 
423. Saxon. Lowland. 

426. Leven-glen. Towards the Clyde. 

431. Rosebud. Who is meant? 

465-472. Some . . . head. Please memorize. 

476. Weeped. For the rhyme. 

497. Percy's Norman pennon. Captured in the foray which led 
to the battle of Otterburn, in 1388. See ballads of Chevy Chase. 

504. Waned crescent. An allusion to the author's friends of 
the house of Buccleugh. This family was defeated in its efforts to 
restore James V. to his power. 

506. Blantyre. A priory near Bothwell Castle. 



182 



1T0TES 



[Ca>-to IL 



513. Out-beggars all. Makes all seem poor in comparison. 
525. Unhooded. With head uncovered for flight. 
527. Goddess. Apparently Diana. Is this consistent with lines 
just preceding ? 

534-563. Almost a photograph. 

548. Ben Lomond. The highest of the Scottish mountains, 
though only 3192 feet. 

549. Sob. Panting. 

551. Frank. Derivation of word ? 

574. Glenrlnlas. See map. 

577. Royal ward. The king was guardian of such noble or- 
phans as were under age. 

583. Strath-Endrick. A valley drained by Endrick Water, 
southeast of Loch Lomond. 

606. Glozing. Glossing, or smoothing over, the truth. Cf. 
Comus. line 161, u well-placed words of glozing courtesy." 

615. Vindictive pride. Scott says, "In 1529 James made a 
convention at Edinburgh for the purpose of considering the best 
mode of quelling the Border robbers, who, during the license of his 
minority and the troubles which followed, had committed many 
exorbitances." With a hastily gathered army of ten thousand 
men he swept through Ettrick Eorest and hanged several leaders. 
Among them was one, Piers Cockburn, who is said to have pre- 
pared a feast for the king's reception. 

623-626. The Meggat flows into the Yarrow, the Yarrow into 
the Ettrick ; the Ettrick and Teviot flow into the Tweed, on whose 
banks lived Walter Scott. 

634. Fate of Border Chivalry. Scott tells us that James strove 
equally to restrain rapine and feudal oppression in every part of 
his dominions. 

637. Espial. Discovery. A poetic word. 



Canto II.] NOTES 183 

638. Streight. Strait, difficulty. 

659. Bleeding Heart. The Douglas clan, by metonymy. 

678. Links of Forth. Its windings near Stirling. Cf. The Lord 
of the Isles, VI. xix. 

" Old Stirling's towers arose in light, 
And twined in links of silver bright 
Her winding river lay." 

679. Porch. Gate. Derivation? 

690-691. Till . . . again. Precise meaning of these lines ? 

692. There are who have. An ellipsis. 

694. Beetled. Overhung. Cf. u a beetling brow." 

702. Battled. Battlemented. 

708. Astound. The contracted participle. 

713. Explain the details of the sustained figure in this stanza. 

718. Hectic. Unhealthfully excited. 

731. Level. Aim. 

732-737. 'Twas I . . . slanderous tongues. Note the pathos. 

747. Nighted. Benighted. 

757. Checkered shroud. His plaid. 

773. Minion. (French, mignon.) Originally a loved one; 
later, as here, a servile fawning favorite. 

801. Pity 'twere. The Highlander's contempt for any approach 
to effeminacy. 

805. Lackey. Verb. 

809. Henchman. A sort of secretary, expected to be ready to 
give his life for his master. Therefore he used to stand behind his 
master's seat at drinking-bouts, to resent any offensive speech. 

829. On the morn. Modifies "should circle." 

831. Fiery Cross. See next Canto. 



184 2T0TES [Canto III. 

839. Rolled. Grammatical construction ? 
846. Point. Appoint or point out. 

Canto I. ended with morning. This one ends with evening and 
moonlight. Is there any artistic reason ? 

General Questions on Canto Second 

1. What element enters largely into Canto II. that appeared but 
little in Canto I. ? 

2. What will be the difference in the tone of two cantos, one of 
which is full of nature, the other of human life and emotions ? 

3. Mention the human passions displayed in Canto II. and prove 
your list by quotations. 

4. Which Canto has the more movement ? 

5. What is the effect of minute detail in description ? Show 
this in " The return of Clan Alpine " ; the description in Canto I. of 
the Lodge. 

6. What is the spirit of the introduction to Canto II. ? 

7. Of each stanza of the boat song ? 

8. What impression have you now of Malcolm Graeme ? 

9. Tell the story of Canto II. in from thirty-five to forty words ; 
of Canto I. 

CANTO THIRD 

Line 3. Store. Adj., now obsolete. Cf. I. 548. 
4. Happed. Chanced. 

9-10. Connection between these two stanzas. 
15. What time. Cf. II. 1. 307. 

17. Gathering sound. Sound to call the gathering. 

18. The Fiery Cross. Scott says: u When a chieftain designed 
to summon his clan, upon any sudden or important emergency, he 
slew a goat, and, making a cross of any light wood, seared the 



Canto III.] NOTES 185 

extremities in the fire, and extinguished them in the blood of the 
animal. This was called the Fiery Cross, also Crean Tarigh, or 
the Cross of Shame, "because disobedience to what the symbol 
implied, inferred infaniy." This was carried by relays of swift 
messengers, and every able-bodied man, between sixteen years and 
sixty, on sight of it was obliged to hasten to the meeting-place. 
" During the civil war of 1745-46, the Fiery Cross often made its 
circuit ; and upon one occasion it passed through the district of 
Breadalbane, a tract of thirty-two miles, in three hours.'' ' 

19-40. The Summer dawn's . . . love. Why is this peaceful 
picture introduced here ? 

30. Chalice. Cup. 

39. Cushat dove. Ring-dove. 

40. In speaking of Scott's use of color, Ruskin quotes the above 
passage, which he says "has no form in it at all except in one 
word (chalice), but wholly composes its imagery either of color, or 
of that delicate half-believed life which we have seen to be so 
important an element in modern landscape." What does he mean 
by " half-believed life" ? 

46. Impatient blade. Transferred epithet. 

47. Vassals. Dependents of a feudal lord. 
51. Preface meet. Fitting preparation. 

57. Sails. What is meant ? Cf. Deut. xxxii. 11. 

62. Rowan. Mountain ash. 

63. Shivers. Slivers. 

69-70. His . . . bore. Explain. 

74. Benharrow. * Mountain at head of Loch Lomond. 

76. Druid. See early British history. 

81. Hallowed. Christian. 

87. Strath. A broad river valley. Watch for its compounds. 

91. This legend was borrowed by Scott from ^ome old tales. 



186 NOTES [Canto III. 

Mediseval heroes were apt to have supernatural origins, as King 
Arthur and Sigurd. 

104. Fieldfare. Field-mouse. Cf . Burns's To a Mousie. 

130. Hap. See note to II., 1. 35. 

131. MS. " Till, driven to frenzy, he believed 

The legend of his birth received." 

138. Sable-lettered. Black-lettered, like all old English books. 

142. Cabala. Mysteries. 

162. Disembodied world. World bereft of human beings. 

168. Ben-Shie. Cf. Irish Banshee. A domestic spirit whose 
wailings foreboded death. 

171. Shingly. Pebbly. 

174. All augured . . . line. Explain. 

188-189. Crosslet . . . cubit's. Little cross, in length the dis- 
tance from the elbow to the tip of the forefinger. 

191. Inch-Cailliach. " Isle of Nuns " in Loch Lomond. 

199-281. Make a study of the different curses and responses, 
the means by which the weird effect is produced, the climax of 
each curse, and see which is the most terrible. 

200. Sepulchral yew. Because common in graveyards. 

212. Strook. Old past of strike. 

213-217. And first . . . hoarse. See how the sound, including 
alliteration, carries out the sense. 

220-221. Joyous, exulting. At the thought of prey. 
255. Beala-nam-bo. Pass the other side 'of Benvenue from 
Goblin's Cave. 

278. Grace. Forgiveness. 

279. This sign. Sign of the cross. 

286. Lanrick Mead. At northwestern end of Loch Vennachar. 



Canto IIL] NOTES 187 

288 et seq. Make especial study of Malise's run. It is one of 
the finest things in the poem. Note the various touches by which 
the feeling of breathless speed is produced. 

300. Dun deer's hide. A sort of buskin or moccasin. 

304. Steepy. Steep; poetic. 

310. Scaur. Cliff. Same as scar. Cf. Scarborough, and Ten- 
nyson's Bugle Song, " O sweet and far, from cliff and scar." 

322-347. Fast . . . loud. Note details. 

332. Cheer. Look. 

344. Bosky. Woody. 

349. Duncraggan. Near Brigg of Turk. 

369., Coronach. A funeral lamentation, mingled with praise of 
the dead. What is the effect of the amphibrachic movement ? 

" He | is gone on | the mountain, 
He | is lost to | the forest, - 
Like | a summer | -dried fountain 
When | our need was | the sorest.' ' 

384. Flushing. With its full color and beauty. 

386. Correi. Hollow frequented by game. 

387. Cumber. Puzzling difficulty. 

393. Study all comparisons in the above song. 

394. Stumah. " Faithful," the dog. 
403. Precipitate. Headlong. 

425. Essays. Tries. 

439. Hest. Command. 

How do we know that Duncan was Roderick's right-harid man? 
What makes the pathos of this description, farther than that then) 
was a death ? 

453. Scott summarizes this imaginary passage of khe Fiery 



188 XOTES [Canto III. 

Cross as being to Duncraggan, toward Callander until it turns to 
the left for the Chapel of Saint Bride, then from that vicinity 
along Loch Lubnaig through the glens of Balquidder, including 
the neighboring Glenfinlas and Strathgartney. 

453. Strath-Ire. Connecting Lochs. Voil and Lubnaig. 

465. Reeled his sympathetic eye. Dizzy from gazing at the 

dancing water. 

478. Blithesome rout. Merry company. 

Morning-tide. Cf. Eastertide, Christmastime. 

480. Tombea. A certain hamlet. 

4S2. Gothic. Pointed. 

485-499. Bonneted sire . . . cheer. Can you picture the various 
individuals ? 

485. Coif-clad. Wearing a sort of cap or kerchief, the sign of 
the matron as distinguished from the virgin's snood. 

533-534. Mingled . . . fame. What do these lines mean ? 
542. Like fire . . . flint. Explain simile. 
544. Song. How does the versification of this differ irom the 
main part of the poem ? 

546. Bracken. Ferns. " brakes." 

569. Not faster. Conclusion of this sentence ? 

Braes. Hillsides. Cf. ; - Ye banks and braes of Bonnie Deon." 

570. Balquidder. At eastern end of Loch VoiL The- burial- 
place of Rob Roy. 

577. Coil. Confusion. A Shakespearean word. 
599-600. No oath . . . command. These lines show the abso- 
lute obedience of the clansmen to a Highland chieftain. 

607-609. Rednock. Cardross. Duchray. Castles on the route. 
611. Wot ye. Know ye. Cf. Bible. 



Canto III] NOTES 189 

633. Incumbent. Overhanging ; used literally. This grotto was 
supposed to be inhabited by a sort of Scottish Satyr or lubberly 
Brownie. 

641. Still. Noun, stillness. 

643. Chafed with. Blew over surface, roughening it. Cf. 
Julius Ccesar, I. ii. 101, "The troubled Tiber chafing with her 
shores." Originally chafe meant "to warm " (chafing-dish) ; then 
" to warm by rubbing " ; finally " to fret." 

651-658. Yet . . , gaze. What besides the seclusion of the en- 
trance made Douglas and his daughter safe in the cave? 

672. Single page. According to Scott, the regular officers at- 
tached to a Highland chief were : (1) the henchman; (2) the bard; 
(3) the bladier, or spokesman ; (4) the gillie-more, or sword-bearer 
[alluded to in this line] ; (5) a gillie, who bore the chief across 
the fords ; (6) a gillie to lead the horse ; (7) a baggageman ; (8) 
& piper; (9) a piper's gillie. 

683-684. Feathers . . . gleam. Explain. 

696. Why flaxen band ? 

713-736. Notice arrangement of rhymes. 

Is this a prayer to the Virgin Mary ? 

737-750. Died . . . shot. Notice how dramatic this is. 

751. That silvery bay. What one ? 

758. Some . . . strayed. Do you like this line ? Why not ? 

General Questions on Canto Third 

1. What relics of ancient superstition are seen in this Canto ? 

2. Make a list of the synonyms for " curse." 

3. Compare the Monk with Robin Hood's Friar Tuck. 

4. Why is the imagery in the Coronach especially appropriate 
to the death of Duncan ? 

5. Make a picture in your own words of the Goblin Cave. 
Draw one, if you can. 



100 NOTES [Casto IV. 

6. What contrasts are presented in this Cant 

". Bow does its tone differ from that of Canto I.? of Canto II. ? 

8. Make an abstract of this Canto, one short sentence to each 

stanza. 

CANTO FOURTH 

5. Wilding. A poetic word, daintier than wild. 

Whom. Because personified by address. 

31. Eagle watch. Watch sharp as an eagle's. 

36. Boune. Prepared. 

37. Doune. An old castle on the Teith. 

42. Inured . . . bout. Trained to endure such hard fortune. 

63. Taghairm. U A person was wrapped in the skin of a 
newly slain bullock, and deposited beside a waterfall, or at the 
■ rttom :: a precipice, or in some other strange, wild, and unusual 
situation, where the scenery around him suggested nothing but 
objects of horror. In this situation he revolved in his mind the 
question proposed : and whatever was impressed upon him by his 
ted imagination passed for the inspiration of the disembodied 
spirits who haunt these desolate recesses." — Scott. 

73. Kerns. Light-armed soldiers in the Highlands and Ireland. 

74. BeaPmaha. A pass on the east of Loch Lomond. 

77. Dennan's Row. Now Rowardennan, the usual point for 
ascending Ben Lomond. 

82. Boss. Central knob on a shield. 

83. Verge. Pronounced to rhyme with Targe. 

84. Targe. Shield. 

While . . . broke. While the deer is quartered. 
112. Sentient. Possessing feeling. 
115. Rouse. Into Stand on end. 



Canto IV.] NOTES 191 

132. Which . . . life. Modifies party, 

139. Self -offered. Offered by himself. Is this clear ? 

150. Glaive. Sword. 

153. Sable pale. Heraldic terms. A broad perpendicular 
stripe of black in the middle of the shield. 

164. Shaggy glen. The word Trosachs itself means " bristling 
country." 

174. Stance. Station. 

213-214. My . . . his. Cf. Brutus' s Portia, " so fathered and 
so husbanded." Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, II. i. 297. 

217. Rife. Everywhere prevalent. 

223. Trowed. Believed. Cf. troth. 

227. Both. Refers to whom ? 

231. Cambus-kenneth's fane. Cambus-kenneth Abbey, near 
Stirling. 

245. Bode of. Forebode. 
249. Presaged. Foretold. 

261. Read another ballad, — one of Robin Hood, the Nut- 
Browne Mayde, or Chevy Chase, and compare with this modern 
one, which Scott based on an old Danish ballad. 

262. Mavis and merle. Thrush and blackbird. 

267. Wold. Open country. The word wold is from the Anglo- 
Saxon weald and originally meant forest, then waste ground, then 
plain or upland. 

277. Vest of pall. Rich crimson or purple stuff of which palls 
(mantles) were made. Latin, pallium. 

285. Vair. Squirrel's fur. 

298. Woned. Dwelt. 

306. Fairies' . . . green. Refers perhaps to the green caps of the 



192 NOTES [Canto IV. 

little hill-people, or green habits of the " Men of Peace." (Stop 
at this point for a little review of fairy-lore, and one or two fairy 
stories. Cf. Drake's The Culprit Fay, and Shakespeare's A Mid- 
summer Night's Dream.) 

330. Kindly. Kindred. 

349. Inconstant. Ever taking new forms. 

358. Durst sign. Dared to make the sign of the cross upon his 
brow. 

371. Dumfermline. The residence and burial-place of many 
Scottish kings, Robert Bruce being the last of them. It is seven- 
teen miles from Edinburgh. 

387. Bourne. Boundary. 

392. Augur scathe. Foresee danger. 

395. Conjure. Him understood. Adjure. 

399. Had . . . bribed. Would not have been bribed. 

417. Before. When? 

421. Atone. Atone for. 

424. Forth . . . shall. It shall be said. 

430. Infamy. Merely disgrace here. 

456-460. Try to see the picture in your mind's eye. 

471. Lordship. Lordly domain. 

Embattled field. Battle-field. 

473. Who . . . land. Modifies I. Reck of = care for. 

477. Signet. Ring. 

478. Claim thy suit. Secure your request. 

500. Fared. Journeyed, a beautiful obsolete word. Cf. rail- 
way fare, farewell, wayfarer, welfare. 

506. Weeds. Garments. We still say " widow's weeds." 
508. Glancing . . . eye. Glancing modifies eye. 



Canto IV.] NOTES 193 

531-532. Allan and Devan. Two Perthshire streams. 

555. Maudlin's charge. An insane asylum. Contracted from 
Magdalen. Cf. " Maudlin n College, Oxford, colloquial for " Mary 
Magdalen's." 

559. Pitched . . . bar. In athletic contests. 

562. Pennons. Wings. She is preparing to fly to her mur- 
dered lover. 

567. Batten. Fatten. 

571. Meet Appropriate. 

590. Jeffrey objects to this song on the ground that a maniac 
would not sing a sensible warning song. Can you answer his 
objection ? 

The . . . set. The nets and stakes are prepared for the stag of 
ten (ten branches on its horns). The stag is James Fitz-James. 
Who are the hunters and the wounded doe ? 

617. Thrilled in. Pierced. 

630. Pine. Appropriateness of the pine ? 

642. Daggled. Besmeared, soaked. 

686. Favor. Token of affection for his lady, worn by a knight. 

687. Imbrue. Moisten. 698. Hoar. Does this mean aged ? 

722. Summer Solstice. Summer's greatest heat. 

734-750. Thy name . . . spy. Notice omission of verbs to add 
strength. 

744. Privilege . . . chase. Explained by following lines. Inter- 
pret the figure. 

780. Stranger. Noun. 

787. Coilantogle's Ford. On the Teith just below Loch Ven- 
nachar. 

798. Purpled. Morning again, as in Canto I. How did Canto 
III. end ? 



NOTES [Canto V. 

General Questions on Canto Fourth 

1. Compare this lovely prelude with Bums' s 

"My love is like the red, red rose." 

2. Tell the story of Ellen from the beginning of the poem 
through this Canto, and point out. with your evidence, all the traits 
which you have discovered in her. Is Malcolm a satisfactory 
suitor for her hand ? 

3. What do you know of fairy -lore ? Tell the prettiest fairy 
story that you know. 

4. How does the impression left by the second visit of Fitz- 
James differ from that of his first ? 

5. Tell the story of poor Blanche, and why she warns Snow- 
doun's Knight. How did she know that he was in danger *? 

6. You have already found exhibitions of Highland hospitality ; 
what others appear in the latter part of this Canto ? 

7. Sote the various means by which the effect of weirdness is 
produced. 

8. Who was the Lady of the Lake ? What lake ? Precisely 
where is it ? u The Chase " — by whom, of what, where, and how 
ended '? ' ■ The Island ' ' — what island '? Who were its occupants ? 
'•The Gathering' ■ — why, where, of whom, how made? ;, The 
Prophecy " — what was it '? Who made it ? To whom ? 

9. How much time has been covered by the action of these four 
cantos ? 

CANTO FIFTH 

2. Pilgrim. Here apparently a mere traveller. 

8. Martial Faith. Why martial ? 

Does this introduction change our feeling toward Roderick Dhu ? 

14. Dappled. Flecked with spots. See note to I., 1. 461. 



Canto V.] NOTES 195 

34-35. Diamond dew . . . Beauty's tear. Does this seem too 
effusive ? 

44. Rugged mountain's scanty cloak. Note the resemblance 
between the mountain and the Highlanders. 

46. Shingles. Coarse gravel and broken stone. 

64. Sooth to tell. To tell the truth. 

77. Mechanic laws. Grammatical construction of mechanic? 

85. Danger's self. Is this a true touch ? 

86-111. What fatal mistake did Roderick make ? 

108. Regent's court. The Regent was Albany (1. 124), a cousin 
of James IV., whom the Scottish nobles called home from France 
to assume the reins of government after that monarch was slain at 
Flodden Field. It was a disorderly time, full of feuds. 

119. Holy-Rood. Cf. II. 221. 

125. Truncheon. Sceptre or baton. 

126. Mewed. Confined, as in a cage. 

152-153. Sires . . . claymore. The target and claymore were 
weapons of the Britons from earliest times. 

Note the fire and effectiveness of the whole dispute. 

169. Seek other cause. A foray was considered by the High- 
landers an honorable undertaking. Scott says that the Gael never 
forgot that the Lowlands at some remote period had belonged to 
his ancestors, and so were fair prey. 

176-177. I seek . . . maid. Dependent upon warning ; ''warn- 
ing that I seek," etc. 

196-227. " The chef cTceuvre of Walter Scott." 

Notice how every detail helps the whole. 

230. Manned himself. Furnished himself with strength. Cf. 
"Theodosius having manned himself with proper reflections,' ' 
Addison, as quoted by Webster. 



196 NOTES [Canto V. 

246. Mother earth . . . birth. Is this an allusion to Cadmus ? 

See Classic Myths. 

253. Jack. A cheap leather substitute for coat of mail. 

262. Fear naught. Why was there no need to say that? 

270. I only meant. Scott explains : " This incident, like some 
other passages in the poem, illustrative of the character of the 
ancient Gael, is not imaginary, but borrowed from fact" It was 
taken from the adventures of an Englishman with a famous free- 
booter, John Gunn. 

277. Flood. Flow ; to rhyme with blood, 
298. Three mighty lakes. Katrine, Achray, and Vennachar. 
301. Mouldering lines. The remains of a Roman camp, prob- 
ably built in the time of Agricola. 

309. Murderous Chief, ruthless man. Cf. the preceding words 
of Fitz-James. 

329-330. Prophet bred . . . dead. Cf. in. 91, and IV. 124-125. 

334. Read. Interpreted. 

336. Stark and stiff. Difference ? 

356. Carpet knight. A Shakespearean expression. A hero of 
the drawing-room ; one who has not known the hardships of the 
field. 

364. Truce ... begone. "Let this be the end of delay and pity." 

378. Dubious. As to its issue. 

383. Trained abroad. In France. 

390. Blade . . . blood. Explain the figure. 

406. Recreant. Coward. 

408. Toil. Snare. 

424. Dagger. The only weapon he had left. 

443-444. Yet . . . give. Explain these line». 



Canto V.] NOTES 197 

452. Squires. The attendants of a knight. 

462. Fairer freight. Ellen. 

466. Boune. Ready. One of Scott's favorite words ; checkered 
is another. 

470-532. Stand . . . won. Select words expressing motion. 

486. Pricked. Spurred. 

The places named are those where Scott had visited friends in 
his younger days. 

496. Mark just glance. Perceive, quickly to meet the eye and 
then to disappear. 

509. His. Antecedent? 

525. Saint Serle. A very obscure saint, but the only one 
whose name rhymes with earl. 

532. Postern gate. Bear gate. 

533. Douglas. Why had the Douglas come ? 

544. Bride of heaven. A nun. The convent was the common 
haven of high-born maidens. 

551. Fatal mound. The place where many state criminals had 
been executed, situated on the northeast of the castle. 

558. Franciscan steeple. Grayfriars' Church, built by James 
IV. Here John Knox preached the sermon for the coronation of 
James VI. 

662. Morrice-dancers. The morrice, or morris, dance was one 
originally borrowed from the Moors. It is described in Scott's Abbot. 

583-592. Bending low . . . nods. Notice how the king's man- 
ner varies according to the station of the subject. 

602. Mean burgher's. Does mean modify burgher's, or joys f 

606. Feudal power. At home a lord, here a scorned vassal. 

610. Their checkered bands. Whose bands ? Why checkered ? 



198 NOTES [Canto V. 

611. Bell at heel. A morrice-dancer wore from 20 to 252 bells 
on each leg. 

613. Butts. The marks at which the archers shot. 

614. Robin Hood. At such festivals as this the games often 
represented Robin Hood and his merry men. 

630. Wight. Here probably an adjective, valiant or strong. 

632-633. Cf . with the wrestling match in Shakespeare's As You 
Like It, I, ii. 

638. Fare. The manner in which he fared. 

641. A golden ring. "The usual prize of a wrestling was a 
ram and a ring, but the animal would have embarrassed my 
story.''' — Scott. Did he plan the coincidence in that a ring had 
also been given to Douglas's daughter ? 

653. Rood. Rod. 

660. Ladies' Rock. A point between the castle and Greyfriars' 
Church, much used for viewing the games. 

680-691. Thus judged . . . known. Is this a universal truth ? 

692. Gambols. Usually applied to children, or to the lower 
animals. 

709. Struck . . . hound. Remember Scott's love of dogs. 

724. Needs but a buffet. Needs but a buffet to fell the groom. 

740. Misproud. Wrongly proud. 

747. Ward. Confinement. 

752. Misarray. Disorder. 

776. These. Antecedent ? This seems satirical. See the no- 
bility of nature shown by the Douglas. 

783. Kind. Kindred. 

794. Ward. Ward off. 

810. Trailing arms. As at a soldier's funeral. 

819. Common fool. Was/ooZ suggested by the French foule, a 



Canto V.] NOTES 199 

crowd f Cf. Shakespeare's " fool multitude," Merchant of Venice, 
II. ix. 26. 

830-832. See Marmion, Canto VI., 1.902: "O woman, in our 
hours of ease," et seq. 

838. Cognizance. Heraldic markings. 

847. Loose. Ungovernable. 

856. Lost it. Explain what was lost. 

868. Vulgar. Crowd. Latin, vulgus. 

882. Civil jar. Civil war. 

887. Earl William. The Douglas who was stabbed at Stirling 
by James II. > 

898. Pennons brown. Explain this closing personification. 

General Questions on Canto Fifth 

1. Find the little touches which make this account of the 
combat so vivid and forceful. 

2. What was the exact cause of the quarrel ? 

3. What were the standing causes of feud between Lowlander 
and Highlander ? 

4. Is there any artistic reason for the reference (11. 301-303) to 
Rome's empire over this region ? 

6. How do you interpret the lines 

" Thus Fate hath solved her prophecy, 
Then yield to Fate, and not to me " ? 

6. How did each combatant evince his courtesy ? Was it to 
have been equally expected of each ? 

7. How does the description of the sports at Stirling afford a 
pleasing respite from the combat ? 

H. Why was this a skilful method of introducing the Douglas 
to the King and to us ? 



200 XOTES [Canto 



- 



9. Make out a careful outline of this Canto, filling in the sub- 
topics : — 
Introduction. 

The stars of Faith and Courtesy shining amid war clouds. 
Body. 

I. On the way to Coilantogle Ford. Stanzas ii.-xii. 

II. The Challenge and Reply. Stanzas xiii.-xiv. 

III. The Combat. Stanzas xv ,-xvn. 

IV. On the way to Stirling. Stanzas xviii.-xxi. 

V. The Games. Stanzas xxn.-xxvi. 

VI. The Outlaw and his King. Stanzas xxvn.-xxx. 

VII. Message of intended Battle. Stanzas xxxi.-xxxii. 
Conclusion. 

The coming of Soirowful Evening. 



CANTO SIXTH 

2. Dark city. Stirling. 

3. Caitiff. Wretch. Often with a dishonorable meaning. 

P. Kind nurse of men. Cf. 2 Henry IV. } III. i. 5, and other 
references to sleep in Shakespeare, notably in Macbeth. 

15. Gyve. Fetter for the ankle. 

42. Harness. Armor of man and horse. 

47. Adventurers. Scott tells that James V. was the first to 
introduce a body-guard of mercenaries, in contrast to the ordinary 
Scottish army, which was composed of the barons and their retainers. 

•jo. Fleming. A native of Flanders, a fertile country. 

60. Halberd. See picture in Webster's Dictionary. 

83. Holytide Holiday. 

65. Fray. See hint at close of Canto V. 



Canto VI.] NOTES 201 

78. Trent. A river in eastern England. 

87. Troll. Sing. An old ballad word. 

88. Buxom. Lively. The derivation and history are interesting. 

129. Glee-maiden. A little girl who accompanied the medieval 
juggler, and did tumbling and dancing. Therefore the epithet was 
gross disrespect to Ellen. 

132. No, comrade. How dignified is Bertram. 

136. Purvey. Furnish. 

152. Tartan screen. The plaid with which she had covered her 
head. 

167. I shame me. I am ashamed. Shame was used thus 
reflexively in our older English. 

170. Need wood. A royal forest in Staffordshire, England. 
He had been outlawed from England for deer shooting. 

183. Tullibardine. A home of the Murrays, some twenty miles 
from Stirling. 

199. Errant Damosel. Like the damsels described in mediaeval 
times, the feminine counterpart of the knight-errant. 

212. This ring . . . own. Prose order ? 

214-215. Mean . . . failed. Was not this a lame apology ? 

222. Permit . . . way. "Permit me to lead you." 

234. Barret-cap. Cloth cap. He wore the purse as a knight 
wore a favor. 

242. Masters face. Douglas. It was the minstrel's duty to be 
with his patriarchal chief. 

265. But I loved. " Unless I had loved." 

269. Thy Lord. Brent misunderstands him and takes him to 
Roderick. 

295. Leech. Physician. 



202 NOTES [Canto VI. 

306. Prore. Poetic for prow. Latin, prora. 

319-320. Lady . . . Douglas. Note the order of the questions. 

336. Pine. Explain the reference. 

346. That stirring air. The song beginning in 1. 369. 

369. Beal an Duine. "A skirmish actually took place at a 
pass thus called in the Trosachs, and closed with the remarkable 
incident mentioned in the text. It was greatly posterior in date to 
the reign of James V." — Scott. 

377. Erne. Eagle. 

Study the skill with which the minstrel winds into his subject, 
and the use made of the thunderstorm. 

404. Barded. Armored. Many editions have barbed. 

405. Battalia. Army. 
414. Vaward. Vanguard. 
447. Serried. Closely packed. 

452. Tinchel. A circle of hunters surrounding the deer. 
454. As tame. Complete the thought. 
496. Doubling pass. Winding pass. 
525. At weary bay. Wearily at bay. 

539. Bonnet-pieces. Gold coins on which the king's head wore 
a bonnet instead of a crown. 

565. Duncraggan's widowed dame. Cf. III. 428. 
567. Naked dirk. Unsheathed dirk. One edition has "her 
husband's dirk" (Rolfe). 

583. Truce-note. Signal for stay of battle. 
594. Feeling. Part of speech ? 

603. Parting breath. Was not this a most appropriate passing 
away for fierce Roderick ? 

631. Even she. Ellen. 



Canto VI.] NOTES 203 

'688. Storied pane. Stained glass windows on which scenes 
were depicted. Cf. Milton's II Penseroso, 1. 159, — 

" And storied windows richly dight, 
Casting a dim religious light." 

665. Perch and hood. Confinement from the hnnt. 

672. Meet. Fitting. 

688. Interpret the Lay of the Imprisoned Huntsman. Who was 
the ,singer ? 

712. Stayed. Supported. 

740. And Snowdoun's Knight is Scotland's King. James V. 
was fond of such incognito escapades. Mary Queen of Scots came 
by her waywardness in fair inheritance from this father. 

741-742. As wreath . . . rest. Show force of this simile. 
ft 769. Infidel. Unbeliever, distrustful one. 

825. Stained. Caused to blush. 

882. Who. Antecedent? 

837. Warder . . . Graeme. Has the Graeme shown himself 
worthy of Ellen's love ? Is he painted strongly ? 

842. Harp of the North, farewell ! Go back and read the 
introduction to Canto I. Compare the two. 

853. CaviL Criticise sneeringly. 

859. O'erlive. Outlive. 

860-868. Follow the exquisitely dying cadences of the harp. 

General Questions on Canto Sixth 

1. Paraphrase the prelude. 

2. How did Ellen secure respect in her unprotected condition ? 
:>. Why was it difficult for John of Brent to understand the 

clan loyalty of the old minstrel? 



204 NOTES [Canto VL 

4. What does Roderick's death scene tell us of bis character 
more than we already knew ? 

5. Make a pen picture of this scene. 

6. Read the account of the Battle of Flodden Field in Marmion, 
and compare these two stories. 

7. In what ways is the metre varied in this story ? Can you see 
the reason ? 

8. Interpret the Lay of the Imprisoned Huntsman, explaining 
the fitness of the imagery. 

9. Has the climax of the story been kept effectually concealed, 
or have you guessed the personality of Snowdoun's Knight ? 

10. Make an outline of this Canto like that of Canto Y. 



QUESTIONS ON ENTIRE POEM 

1. Follow the use of the Harp through the entire poem, 
from the first prelude to the closing lines. 

2. Collate all the songs and discover how the verse 
movement of each song aids its thought. 

3. Find all the passages which show the beautiful re- 
lation between Ellen and her father. 

4. What use does Scott make of natural scenery in this 
poem ? Is it for the simple beauty of its own descrip- 
tion, as a background for human action, or is it. something 
still different ? 

5. From this poem alone what would be your concep- 
tion of the character and tastes of its author ? 

6. What have you learned from this poem ? 

7. Have you enjoyed it ? If so, collect all the reasons 
, why it produced the pleasure. 



INDEX TO NOTES 



According pause, 169. 
Adown, 170. 
Allan, 192. 
Amain, 171. 
Ascabart, 175. 
Aspens, 176. 

Balquidder, 187, 188. 
Bannochar Castle, 181. 
Bard, 189. 
Barded, 201. 
Barret-cap, 201. 
Battalia, 201. 
Batten, 192. 
Beacon, 170. 
Beala-nam-bo, 186. 
Beal'maha, 190. 
Beamed frontlet, 170. 
Beetled, 183. 
Bell at heel, 197. 
Beltane game, 180. 
Benharrow, 185. 
Ben Lomond, 182. 
Ben-Shie, 186. 
Benvenue, 186. 
Benvoirlich, 170. 
Beshrew, 173. 
Bittern, 176. 
Bladier, 189. 
Blantyre, 181. 
Bleeding Heart, 179, 182. 



Bonnet-pieces, 202. 
Boon, 172. 
Bosky, 187. 
Boss, 190. 

Bothwell's hall, 178. 
Boune, 190. 
Bourgeon, 181. 
Bourne, 192. 
Bower, 172. 
Bracken, 188. 
Bracklinn, 180. 
Braes, 188. 
Brand, 176. 
Breadalbane, 181. 
Bride of Heaven, 197. 
Brigg of Turk, 171. 
Buccleugh, 181. 
Butts, 197. 

Cabala, 186. 
Cadence, 176. 
Cairn, 170. 
Caitiff, 200. 
Caledon, 169. 
Callander, 187. 
Cambus-kenneth, 191. 
Cardross, 188. 
Carpet knight, 196. 
Chalice, 185. 
Chiding, 171. 
Claverhouse, 178. 
205 



206 



INDEX TO NOTES 



Claymore, 180, 195. 
Cognizance, 198. 
Coif-clad, 188. 
Coil, 188. 

Coilantogle's Ford, 193. 
Coronach, 187. 
Correi, 187. 
Couched, 171. 
Crean Tarigh, 184. 
Crest, 177. 

Cross of Shame, 184. 
Crosslet, 186. 
Cumber, 187. 
Cushat dove, 185. 

Daggled, 193. 

Dappled, 174, 194. 

Deep-mouthed, 170. 

Dennan's Row, 190. 

Devan, 192. 

Dhu, 179. 

Douglas, 176, 178, 179, 182, 198, 201. 

Doune, 190. 

Duchray, 188. 

Dumfermline, 192. 

Duncraggan, 187. 

Earl William, 198. 
Earn, Loch, 169. 
Ellen's Isle, 174. 
Embossed, 171. 
Emprise, 174. 
Envious ivy, 169. 
Erne, 201. 
Errant-knight, 174. 
Espial, 182. 
Ettrick, 182. 

Fairies'-green, 191. 
Fared, 192. 
Ferragus, 175. 



Fieldfare, 185. • 
Fiery Cross, the, 184, 187. 
Fillan, Saint, 169. 
Foxglove, 172. 
Franciscan steeple, 197. 

Gillie-more, 189. 
Glaive, 190. 
Glee-maiden, 200. 
Glenartney, 169. 
Glenfinlas, 182, 187. 
Glen Fruin, 181. 
Glengyle, 180. 
Glen Luss, 181. 
Glozing, 182. 
Graeme, 178, 203. 
Grayfriars' Church, 197. 
Grisly, 176. 
Guerdon, 179- 
Gyve, 200. 

Halberd, 200. 
Henchman, 183, 189. 
Holy-Rood, 195. 
Holytide, 200. 
Hotspur, 180. 
Hubert, Saint, 171. 

Idaean vine, 175. 
Imbrue, 193. 
Inch-Cailliach, 186. 

Jack, 195. 
John Gunn, 195. 

Ken, 170. 
Kerns, 190. 

Ladies' Rock, 198. 
Lanrick Mead, 186. 
Lennox, 179. 



INDEX TO NOTES 



207 



Leven-glen, 181. 

Lincoln Green, 174. 

Links of Forth, 182. 

Linn, 170. 

Loch Achray, 170, 196. 

Loch Ard, 170. 

Loch Earn, 169. 

Loch Katrine, 196. 

Loch Lomond, 179. 

Loch Lubnaig, 187. 

Loch Vennachar, 193, 196. 

Maronnan's cell, 180. 
Matins, 172. 
Maudlin's charge, 192. 
Mavis, 191. 
Meggat, 182. 

Men of the Mosshags, 170. 
Menteith, 170, 181. 
Mere, 173. 
Merle, 191. 
Mewed, 195. 
Minion, 183. 
Minstrel, 177. 
Modan, Saint, 178. 
Monan's rill, 169. 
Montrose, 178. 
Morrice-dancers, 197. 
Moss, 170. 

Naiad, 173. 
Need wood, 200. 
Nigh ted, 183. 
Nightshade, 172. 
Numbers, 169. 

Opening, 170. 
Orisons, 176. 

Pall, 191. 
Percy, 181, 



Pibroch, 176. 
Plaid, 173. 
Postern gate, 197. 
Pricked, 196. 
Prore, 201. 
Prune, 173. 

Quarry, 171. 

Rednock, 188. 

Regent's Court, 195. 

Robin Hood, 197. 

Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, 181. 

Rood, 174, 198. 

Ross-dhu, 181. 

Rowan, 185. 

Rowardennan, 190. 

Saint Fillan, 169. 

Saint Hubert, 171. 

Saint Modan, 178. 

Saint Serle, 197. 

Saxon, 181. 

Scathe, 192. 

Scaur, 186. 

Scott (quoted), 171, 174, 175, 177, 

178, 182, 184, 190, 191, 197, 201. 
Screen (tartan) , 200. 
Seine, 171. 
Shingles, 194. 
Snood, 173. 
Snowdoun, 175. 
Spey, 179. 
Stance, 190. 
Storied pane, 202. 
Strath, 185. 
Strath-Endrick, 182. 
Strathgartney, 187. 
Strath Ire, 187. 
Strathspey, 179. 
Stumah, 187. 



208 



INDEX TO NOTES 



Taghairm, 190. 
Tainted gale, 170. 
Target, 195. 
Tartan screen, 200. 
Teith, 193. 
Teviot, 182. 
Tinchel, 202. 
Tine-man, 180. 
Tombea, 188. 
Trent, 200. 
Troll, 200. 
Trosachs, 171. 
Truce-note, 202. 
Truncheon, 195. 
Tullibardine, 201. 
Tweed, 179, 182. 

Uam Var, 170. 
Unhooded, 181. 



Vair, 191. 
Vaward, 201. 
Votaress, 180. 



Weeds, 192. 
Whinyard, 171. 
Wildering, 172. 
Witch-elm, 169. 
Woe worth, 171. 
Wold, 191. 
Woned, 191. 
Wot, 175. 



Yarrow, 182. 
Yesternight, 174. 
Yew (sepulchral), 186, 



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